Category: DuPage County motorcycle accidents

An East Main Street motorcycle crash occurred in St. Charles on Saturday (June 8, 2019) evening. This East Main Street motorcycle crash led to the death of the rider.

An excerpt from the June 9, 2019 Batavia Patch article titled “1 Dead in St. Charles Motorcycle Crash“:

A 49-year-old St. Charles man is dead following a motorcycle crash in downtown St. Charles Saturday evening. The St. Charles Police and Fire departments responded to the 2500 block of E. Main Street at 5:44 p.m. for the crash. A 2002 Suzuki motorcycle, driven by Gustavo Sanchez Pineda, was westbound on East Main Street when the motorcycle hit a vehicle that was stopped and waiting to make a left hand turn, according to a news release from the St. Charles Poluce Department.

Pineda was ejected from the motorcycle during the collision.

Pineda was taken to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva for treatment of his accident injuries. He later died.

This East Main Street motorcycle crash remains under investigation.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this St. Charles fatal motorcycle accident can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above as well as the June 8 Daily Herald article titled “St. Charles man dies after motorcycle crash.”

As discussed on the “Motorcycle Crashes Involving Motorcyclist Ejections” page, crashes involving ejections often lead to serious injuries. As discussed, there are many reasons for this, including that most ejections occur when the bike is traveling at significant or higher speeds. Among the common types of injuries sustained during such ejections are various blunt force trauma injuries to the torso and head. Traumatic injuries to these areas often led to serious injuries, and in many cases life-threatening injuries.

The page mentioned above also discusses ways to avoid motorcycle accidents that can lead to the rider being ejected. As well, there are ways to mitigate injuries sustained during an ejection, should an ejection occur.

There was a fatal Downers Grove motorcycle accident Tuesday (March 12, 2019) afternoon. The motorcyclist was seriously injured during the collision and pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

According to information provided by the Downers Grove Police Department, this Downers Grove motorcycle accident happened at approximately 1:30 p.m., near the intersection of 67th Street and Main Street.

An excerpt regarding the crash, from the Lisle Patch article of March 13, 2019 titled “Motorcyclist Killed In Crash In Downers Grove,” quoting Downers Grove Police Department spokesman Bill Budds:

According to Budds, the preliminary investigation into the fatal crash shows that the car was heading north on Main Street while the motorcycle was driving south on Main Street. Police say the motorcycle hit the car as the car made a left turn onto 67th Street.

The crash investigation into this Downers Grove motorcycle accident is being conducted by the Downers Grove Police Department and the FIAT Major Crash Reconstruction team. Those with information concerning the crash are asked to call the Downers Grove Police Department at 630-434-5600.

Additional details regarding this fatal motorcycle collision can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above as well as the March 12 Chicago Sun-Times article titled “Motorcyclist dead in Downers Grove crash.”

As discussed on the “Early-Season Motorcycle Riding Safety Issues” page, for many reasons there is a heightened level of risk in riding a motorcycle early in the year. One reason is that drivers are not yet accustomed to seeing many motorcyclists on the road, and as such may not “see” or be aware of the rider this early in the season. Motorists “seeing” motorcycles continues to be a substantial problem with regard to safe motorcycle riding, as seen in many DuPage County motorcycle accidents discussed on this site. This problem of “not seeing” motorcycles is particularly problematical if a motorist is making a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle that is “not seen,” as a collision often occurs.

There was a fatal Bloomingdale motorcycle collision Wednesday (December 26, 2018) night. This fatal DuPage County motorcycle accident involved a motorcycle and another vehicle.

Details on this fatal accident appear limited at this time.

According to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, this fatal Bloomingdale motorcycle collision occurred on Army Trail Road near 84th Street at approximately 6:15 p.m. The motorcyclist was declared dead at the accident scene.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this fatal Bloomingdale motorcycle collision can be seen in a variety of media sources including the December 27, 2018 Daily Herald article titled “Motorcyclist killed in Bloomingdale crash on Army Trail Road” as well as the December 27 Chicago Sun-Times article titled “1 dead in Bloomingdale motorcycle crash.”

There was a Naperville motorcycle-car collision Saturday (June 30, 2018) night.  The accident caused serious injuries to both the motorcyclist and passenger.

According to information provided by the City of Naperville (in the July 3, 2018 Positively Naperville article titled “Police investigate third serious weekend traffic crash“) this Naperville motorcycle-car collision happened near the intersection of 75th Street and Modaff Road.  Naperville Police responded to the accident scene at approximately 10:30 p.m.

An excerpt regarding the crash, from the July 3 Chicago Sun-Times article titled “Motorcyclist, passenger seriously injured in Naperville crash“:

An investigation found that a 25-year-old man was riding a Harley-Davidson east on 75th Street when he went through a red light at Modaff and crashed into a turning Volkswagen Jetta, police said.

The man and his passenger, a 24-year-old woman, were taken to taken for medical treatment, police said. They were both listed in serious condition.

The motorcyclist was identified as Christopher Vandervalk, of Lisle.  The passenger was identified as a woman from Darien.

Vandervalk was issued a citation for disobeying a traffic signal.

The accident investigation and accident reconstruction is being conducted by the Naperville Police Department’s Traffic Unit.

Those with information concerning this DuPage County motorcycle crash are asked to call the Naperville Police Department at (630) 420-8833.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this Naperville motorcycle-car collision can be seen in a variety of media sources, including those mentioned above.

There was a fatal Bensenville accident which involved a collision between a SUV and motorcycle on June 10, 2018.  The accident was a “hit & run.”  The motorcyclist and passenger later died from their accident injuries.

Details on the accident are somewhat limited.  Media accounts give conflicting information regarding the accident, especially its date.

An excerpt regarding this fatal Bensenville accident, from the July 3, 2018 Daily Herald article titled “Des Plaines woman second to die from injuries in Bensenville crash“:

Bensenville police are searching for an Elk Grove Village man in connection with a June 10 hit-and-run crash that ultimately killed a Des Plaines couple.

Police say Marvin H. Lopez-Garcia, 38, drove his car into a motorcycle, killing the driver and passenger, and then fled.

Witnesses said the motorcyclist was stopped at 2:30 a.m. on June 10 for a red light on northbound Route 83 at Thorndale when Lopez-Garcia’s blue 2009 Nissan Rogue struck the motorcycle from behind. Police said Lopez-Garcia fled on foot and a police dog search was unsuccessful.

The motorcyclist was identified as Scott Lenz Sr., 47, Des Plaines.  He was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for treatment of his accident injuries.  He died the following day.

The motorcycle passenger, identified as Lonie I. Krzywda, 57, of Des Plaines, also was taken to Advocate Lutheran General for treatment of her accident injuries. She died on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Those with information concerning this fatal Bensenville accident are asked to call Bensenville Police at (630) 350-3455.

Additional details and possible updates can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above.

There was a fatal Naperville motorcycle accident Friday (June 29, 2018) night.  The motorcyclist and passenger were killed in the crash.  According to information provided by the Naperville Police Department, the collision occurred between a motorcycle and a car.

As is often the case in motorcycle accidents involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, this incident appears to involve a car that made a left-hand turn into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.  Typically, these crashes lead to serious accident injuries to the motorcyclist and (if applicable) passenger.  In many instances these injuries are fatal in nature.

An excerpt concerning this fatal Naperville motorcycle accident, from the July 2, 2018 Naperville Sun article titled “Aurora man, teen killed in motorcycle-car crash, Naperville police say“:

The crash occurred about 10:40 p.m. when the Kawasaki motorcycle they were riding west on Aurora Avenue cross through the intersection at Fort Hill Drive, a police new release said. The driver of a Honda Civic, who was in the left-hand turn lane from eastbound Aurora Avenue, pulled out in front of them, the release said.

The motorcyclist and passenger were pronounced dead at the scene.  The motorcyclist was identified as David Casas Garcia, 26, of Aurora, and the passenger was identified as Najeli Casas Garcia, 16, of Aurora.  They were brother and sister.

The Honda Civic was driver by a 70-year-old man from Naperville.

This fatal Naperville motorcycle accident is under investigation by the Naperville Police Department.  An accident reconstruction will be included in the investigation.

Those with information concerning the collision are asked to contact the Naperville Police Department Traffic Unit at 630-420-8833.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this fatal Naperville motorcycle accident can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above as well as the July 3 Naperville Patch article titled “Aurora Siblings Killed In Naperville Motorcycle Crash:  Police.”

A motorcyclist was charged with felony drunk driving after a Thursday (June 28, 2018) fatal crash in Lombard.

An excerpt regarding the crash and its aftermath, from the June 29, 2018 Chicago Tribune article titled “Motorcyclist killed in Lombard crash; man on another motorcycle riding with him charged with DUI“:

Prosecutors said that about 10:45 p.m. Thursday, Tony Mueller and Mark Herrera were riding their motorcycles west on St. Charles Road at approximately 90 miles an hour when Mueller struck a curb and crashed, fracturing his skull, according to Paul Darrah, spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office.

Herrera, 30, of Villa Park, who was riding a 2015 Ducati, returned to the accident and briefly spoke to witnesses before he left and traveled to the home of two of his friends, Darrah said. Some time later, the friends drove Herrera back to the scene where a witness identified him as one of the motorcyclists he had seen speeding at the time of the crash.

Herrera also faces other charges related to the accident.

Additional details regarding this DuPage County motorcycle accident in which a motorcyclist was charged with felony drunk driving can be seen in the article mentioned above, as well as the June 29 Daily Herald article titled “One motorcyclist charged with DUI after another dies in Lombard crash.”

Riding a motorcycle while drunk remains one of the foremost causes of serious motorcycle crashes, including those that result in fatal injuries.  As well, riding a motorcycle at high speeds presents a number of challenges, and often has led to loss of control accidents, many of which have involved fatal injuries.

There was a Naperville motorcycle crash involving a motorcycle “rear-ending” a semi truck early Friday (June 29, 2018) morning.  After the collision the motorcyclist was charged with DUI.

According to Naperville Police, the accident happened at around 2:41 a.m., near the intersection of 95th Street and Route 59.

An excerpt from the June 29, 2018 Naperville Patch article titled “Motorcycle Crashes Into Semi Truck In Naperville:  Police“:

Police say Mauro Apostoli, 49, of West Chicago, was driving a 2017 Indian Touring northbound on Rte. 59 when his bike struck the rear of a semi-tractor trailer driven by a 45-year-old man from Villa Park. Apostoli was rushed to Edward Hospital with serious injuries.

Those with information concerning this DuPage County motorcycle accident are asked to call the Naperville Police Department’s Traffic Unit at (630) 420-8833.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this Naperville motorcycle crash that resulted in a DUI charge can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above as well as the Positively Naperville article of June 29 titled “Early morning traffic crash at Route 59 and 95th Street results in DUI charge.”

There was a fatal loss of motorcycle control crash early Wednesday (May 9, 2018) morning on an expressway ramp in Lisle.  The accident occurred on the ramp from I-88 to southbound I-355.

The Illinois State Police indicates that the accident involved the motorcycle loss of control but the cause of the loss of control does not appear to be publicly disclosed.  There are many reasons as to why a motorcyclist can lose control of a motorcycle.  While some of these incidents are the fault of the motorcyclist, many other factors can be beyond the motorcyclist’s control.  Among these factors is a suddenly appearing road hazard such as gravel or water on the roadway.

An excerpt regarding the crash, from the Chicago Sun-Times article of May 9, 2018 titled “Motorcyclist killed in crash on I-355 ramp in Lisle” regarding the motorcyclist:

He lost control of the bike on the ramp and it hit a light pole past Toll Plaza 81, state police said.

The motorcyclist died at the accident scene.  He was identified as Nicholas A. Rodriguez, 23, of Yorkville.

At the time of the crash, he was riding a 2006 Kawasaki motorcycle eastbound.

The accident investigation into this fatal loss of motorcycle control crash is being conducted by the Illinois State Police.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this DuPage County fatal motorcycle accident can be seen in a variety of media sources, including the article mentioned above as well as the May 9 Daily Herald article titled “Yorkville man killed in motorcycle crash on I-355 near Lisle.”

In the September 11, 2017 post titled “Naperville SUV-Motorcycle Collision Leads To Death Of Rider” a September 9, 2017 motorcycle accident in Naperville was summarized.  The accident happened at 75th Street and Plainfield-Naperville Road.  As seen in that  post, the accident injuries led to the death of Calabria M. Taber, 21, of Maple Park.

As seen in many Illinois accidents, the accident involved a motorist attempting to make a left-hand turn immediately in front of an oncoming motorcycle.  The motorist was ticketed for failure to yield turning left.

Subsequent information has been made public with regard to the circumstances regarding the crash.

As discussed in various media sources, including the December 12, 2017 Naperville Sun article titled “Teen had meth in his system at time of fatal Naperville crash, prosecutors say” as well as the December 13 Naperville Patch article titled “Meth Was In Teen’s System During Fatal Crash:  Prosecutors,” the 17-year-old male driver of the SUV that struck the motorcycle allegedly had meth in his system.  He has been charged with two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in death.

Motorists who drive under the influence of drugs pose a large risk to motorcyclists for various reasons.  One of these reasons is that such drug-impaired motorists may have an even harder time “seeing” and properly driving around motorcycles.

The issue of impaired motorists and the hazard such drivers pose to other motorists and other road users – such as bicyclists and motorcyclists – is further discussed on the “Vehicle Accidents Involving Drivers Under The Influence Of Drugs” page.  Various aspects involving drivers who are impaired by drug use are discussed, and the hazards that such drivers pose both to themselves as well as others.  Statistics concerning the increasing number of such accidents, as well as the drugs that are typically used by impaired motorists, are discussed.  As well, it is noted that drivers who mix drugs, or use alcohol in combination with drugs, are likely to be even more impaired while driving.

Additional details concerning this drug-impaired driving issue as it concerns motorcyclists can be seen in the sources mentioned above.