Three Illinois Bicycle Fatalities this week; Two were Hit-and-Runs.

By Jim Freeman

The Chicago Tribune reported that a man was struck and killed in Waukegan early Tuesday morning.  Jack Henderson was riding his bicycle near the intersection of Washington Street and Martin Avenue when he was struck by a green sedan driven by an unknown driver wearing a red shirt or jacket.  Nearby video camera caught the suspected hit-and-run driver as the driver fled eastbound on Washington Street.  

On Monday a cyclist was killed in Alexander County.  The bicyclist was struck by the mirror of a Buick when the vehicle passed the bicyclist.  As a result of being struck by the mirror the bicyclist lost control and was struck and killed by another vehicle.  The driver of the Buick was cited for, “improper overtaking of a bicycle.”  I suspect this means the driver was cited for violating the Illinois three foot passing law.

Finally, we posted earlier this week about the death of Jose Gomez, who was allegedly struck and killed by Daniel Wehr in Des Plaines, Illinois.  Wehr was driving a SUV and was working for United Airlines at the time of the collision.  He was identified because his license plate fell off and remained at the scene after Wehr fled.