VILLA PARK : Street Renamed After Boy Killed by Car

The street where 4-year-old Timothy Doyle lived and died will be renamed Timothy Lane in his honor.

Timothy was killed Feb. 19 when he ran into the street and was struck by a passing car. The boy had been selling lemonade with his brothers in front of his home on Platanal Drive at the time of the accident.

“I’m not sure what he was doing; maybe a cup blew away and he was trying to clean it up,” said his mother, Joan Doyle, shortly after the accident. “His brother yelled at him to stop, but it was too late.”

Police said the driver was not at fault and was not cited. The Doyle family members said they do not blame the driver.

But family and neighbors alike, as well as residents in other parts of the city, have grieved over the death of Timothy. One city resident, Terry Applebaum, recently wrote to the City Council suggesting that Platanal Drive be changed to Timothy Lane. Applebaum said other residents, including the Doyles and the other two families who live on Platanal Drive, agreed with the idea. Platanal is a short street, with only three homes facing it.

“This is a request that comes straight from the hearts of the children in the neighborhood . . . “ Applebaum wrote. “When the children discussed this with the Doyle family, they were truly touched and enthusiastically supported the idea.”

The City Council this week unanimously approved the request.

City Engineer Bill Goodwin said county and postal officials must be notified, as well as map makers.

But by early summer, Goodwin said, the street where Timothy Doyle lived will be permanently renamed in his honor.

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City Honors Accident Victim

The city of Villa Park is renaming Platanal Drive to Timothy Lane. The change is in honor of Timothy Doyle, 4, who was killed by passing car earlier this year when he ran into the street.