Two former New Lenox high school athletes were killed early Sunday morning in a crash in Tinley Park, officials said.
Mason Santiago, 19, and Tyler Koscinski, 20, were killed in a collision with a semi while heading west on Interstate 80 at about 4:30 a.m. between La Grange Road and Harlem Avenue, according to Illinois State Police.
Both were pronounced dead at 8:20 a.m., according to the Will County coroner’s office. The crash is being investigated by the Illinois State Police.
Santiago was an alumnus of Providence Catholic High School, while Koscinski graduated from Lincoln-Way West High School.
Koscinski’s mother, Kelly, said the two had been close friends since grade school.
“They were competitive with each other and they’ve been best friends a really, long time,” she said. “They shared a special bond.”
Santiago’s mother, Shannon, said the pair were “almost attached at the hip.”
“If Tyler was there, you know Mason was too,” she said.
Koscinski said the pair were coming home from Saint Xavier University, where Santiago, a sophomore, was majoring in sports communications and was a linebacker on the football team.
“The SXU Cougar football family is shocked and absolutely devastated by the passing of Mason Santiago,” said head football coach Mike Feminis. “It’s just impossible to wrap your head around something like this. He was such a good kid, so well liked by his teammates and coaches. Our deepest condolences go out to Mason’s family and loved ones.”
Providence Catholic Football shared a GoFundMe that was started in support of Santiago’s family and raised more than $33,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
Santiago dedicated his summer coaching and mentoring the Celtics team, while balancing his own training, the post states.
Santiago’s mother described him as someone who lived with deep passion and love for those around him, a quality he also displayed on the football field.
“The effort and intensity which he went about executing his assignment on the football field was the way in which he went about touching and lifting others up,” Shannon Santiago said.
Saint Xavier officials expressed their condolences on social media.
“With profound grief, SXU mourns the loss of Mason Santiago, sports communication major and cherished member of the football team. Our prayers are with the Santiago family,” the post reads.
Saint Xavier President Keith Elder also reached out to the student community to share the news of Santiago’s passing. He described Santiago as a beloved member of the university and highlighted the support resources available for students coping with this loss.
Koscinski played varsity football and baseball at Lincoln-Way West before continuing his baseball career at Aurora University, where he joined the team as an infielder.
Lincoln-Way baseball posted a tribute to Koscinski, recognizing his contributions to the team and school.
“Tyler was a great teammate and even better human being. A huge catalyst for the biggest wins in school history — including “the play” — to win our 1st sectional title. Memories we will never forget,” the post reads.
“He lit up a room with his smile,” Kelly Koscinski said through tears. “He was so kind and helpful, and he was an amazing athlete, an amazing friend, brother, son, and had an infectious laugh.”
The New Lenox Mustangs Youth Football and Cheerleading organization shared a GoFundMe started in support of the Koscinski family that has raised more than $28,000 as of Tuesday.
“A former QB, he led many winning teams all while being a great young man,” the organization said on Facebook. “If you ask any of his former coaches, teammates they will tell you how much fun he was to be around and coach. The world lost a good one too soon.”
Koscinski’s family will hold a from 2 p.m. until a Celebration of Life service at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Kurtz Memorial, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox, according to the obituary. The burial will be private.
Santiago’s family will also hold a visitation from 2-8 p.m. on Sunday at Kurtz Memorial, Shannon Santiago said.
Santiago reflected on the pair’s unique bond, saying they were “always being their goofy and silly selves,” inseparable in every aspect of life.
Just like in life, Koscinski said “they went together.”
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
