Israel Hernandez, 5, was playing on his driveway at his home in the 500 block of East Merle Lane in Wheeling, Illinois [MAP/SAT] Sunday afternoon. While his parents prepared food for his cousin’s surprise party inside the house, he somehow crashed the bike he was riding into the turkey fryer container that was cooking chili peppers in boiling cooking oil. He was seriously burned from the hot oil on his back and body from his shoulders down — about 60% of his body.
Parents immediately called 911 for Israel, who was conscious and protesting his trip to the hospital because he didn’t want to miss the party. Wheeling Fire Department paramedics requested a transfer by Loyola Lifestar helicopter immediately to the Loyola University Medical Center Burn Unit where Israel Hernandez arrived unconscious. After respiratory failure, Israel Hernandez died Wednesday, four days after his burn injury. The accident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. Sunday, August 26, 2007, while Israel fought for his life until Wednesday at 11:17 p.m. when he was pronounced dead.
The parents of Israel Hernandez were also burned on the hands as they desperately tried to remove the oil and hot, soaked clothing from Israel’s body.
Israel had just started kindergarten at Mark Twain Elementary School of Community Consolidated School District 21.
Send Donations to the Israel Hernandez fund to the District 21 Superintendent’s Office, 999 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, 60090.
