Sophomore television arts major Frank Licka died Tuesday, June 17 after a riding lawn mower accident at his work.
Licka was mowing grass for the Frankfort Square Park District before bystanders found him collapsed next to the lawn mower Tuesday afternoon.
He was transported to Franciscan St. James hospital in Olympia Fields. An autopsy determined his death was caused by multiple injuries suffered in a lawn mower accident.
Tinley Park police said it was unclear whether the lawn mower tipped or rolled over, but they are investigating the accident. The lawn mower was upright when police arrived at the scene.
Other workers were mowing grass in the area, but authorities were not sure if anyone was near him at the time of the accident.
Frankfort Square Park District Director Jim Randall released a statement on Tuesday about Licka’s death.
“Frank Licka was a valued employee of the Frankfort Square Park District and a dear friend and colleague to many,” the release stated. “Frank worked for our agency during his high school summer years and, most recently, as a college student.”
Licka had just completed his freshman year at Bradley, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Ballroom Dancing Club.
To honor Licka’s memory, flags on campus flew at half-staff for three days.
Services for Licka were held Sunday, June 22 at the Kurtz Memorial Chapel in Frankfort, Illinois.
