Ethiopian Teen Killed By Hit-And-Run Accident In Schaumburg

Mikias T. Tibebu, 18, was killed in a hit-and-run. (CBS)

SCHAUMBURG (STMW) — A Schaumburg High School student whose lifeless body was found lying in a roadway in the northwest suburb early Saturday was being remembered as a beloved friend and athlete by school officials and classmates.

Mikias T. Tibebu, 18, was pronounced dead about 1 a.m. after police and paramedics’ resuscitative efforts failed to revive him, authorities said.

While the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Tibebu’s death the result of an apparent hit-and-run collision, investigators say they have not yet determined an exact cause.

Police in Schaumburg were out late last night and early this morning – hoping to find someone who has information about the hit-and-run accident that killed an 18-year-old high school senior early Saturday morning.

“Late last night and early this morning, in the general time frame of when the accident happened the night before, we had several traffic officers on Schaumburg Road where the accident happened stopping vehicles and handing informational fliers to motorists, hoping to find somebody that might have been in that area the night before.”

Sergeant Nebl says police don’t have any solid leads yet, and no description of the vehicle that hit Mikias Tibebu.

Schaumburg Police Sergeant John Nebl says officers have been out trying to find someone who can give them a lead.

He was “a dedicated student with exceptional academic honors,” Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little recalled of Tibebu in an email Saturday afternoon.

“A beloved friend and athlete, Mikias was also a committed member of the cross-country and track teams. Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mikias’ family and friends during this difficult time,” Little said in the email.
One of his friends said, “nothing bad could be said about him. He was one of the nicest kids on the team, and always working hard. He was loved by all and will be always.”

Police and paramedics, responding to a report of a body in the road, say they found Tibebu, 18, lying in the street near Schaumburg Road and Branchwood Drive about 12:38 a.m.

The first arriving officer and bystanders performed CPR in an attempt to revive the teen. And life-saving efforts were continued once paramedics arrived on the scene, but Tibebu, of the 800 bock of Westfield Lane in Schaumburg could not be revived

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office Tibebu was walking near Schaumburg Road and Branchwood Drive when he was hit by a vehicle that drove off, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

The Schaumburg Police Department’s Investigations Division and Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team are being assisted by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office with this investigation.

Members of the school district’s Crisis Response Team will be available throughout the day on Monday at the high school to provide support for the Schaumburg High School community.

Anyone with helpful information is asked to call investigators at (847) 882-3534.
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