Martin Escobar Family Tragedy Fund

July 21, 2018- 

On the 2700 block of Princeton Avenue, Evanston, IL, Mr. Martin Escobar of the J. Perez Tree Trimming Service suffered a fatal accident while working on a tree that was prior-to struck and weakened by lightning.

Mr. Escobar was working on the tree, over 30 feet in the air, when a larger branch from above snapped and struck him. He was trapped, dangling from his safety ropes in the tree for over 40 minutes while emergency personnel from Evanston and Skokie diligently worked to free him. His crew members and the entire Hillside neighborhood could only watch in horror as Mr. Escobar was extricated from the tree. Unfortunately, Mr. Escobar suffered his first heart attack while he was trapped and his oxygen supply was cut off from the crushing weight of the tree branch, which rendered him unconscious. Mr. Escobar was rushed to the Evanston hospital in critical condition. Although he fought for his life with his family by his side, Mr. Escobar suffered a fatal heart attack at the hospital and passed away on Monday, July 23rd, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. 

The Hillside Neighborhood of North Evanston has decided to gather as a community to pay our respects to Mr. Escobar's family by contributing to his funeral and any remaining medical costs. Mr. Escobar was flown back to Mexico and laid to rest this past weekend. Flying a loved one home in a commercial flight could cost at a minimum $3,000, which is what our neighborhood is aiming to raise. 

Mr. Escobar is survived by his wife, four adult children, and six grandchildren. His children described their late father as a hard worker who was an "amazing father" and doting grandfather: "he adored his grandkids." His family is devastated and thanks the Evanston community for setting up a fundraiser in memory of their father. 

J. Perez Tree Trimming Service has done many lawn care, landscaping, and tree trimming jobs in Evanston. They are a well-liked local company, known for being hard workers. Please consider supporting the family of this hardworking and dedicated crew member, Mr. Martin Escobar. 

All proceeds will go to the immediate family of Mr. Martin Escobar. We will keep the campaign open until midnight of August 11th, when Mr. Escobar's family will be returning from Mexico. 


Here are the news links to the incident: 
- http://abc7chicago.com/evanston-tree-trimmer-critically-injured-after-being-hit-by-branch/3804260/

- https://evanstonnow.com/story/public-safety/bill-smith/2018-07-21/80189/tree-trimmer-injured-on-princeton

Mr. Escobar (3rd from the right) is pictured with his son, wife (2nd from left), and three daughters.