On Saturday, June 25th, 2011, at approximately 1:00pm, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on Route 176 at the intersection with
Briarwood Roadinvolving a motorcyclist. Upon arrival crews determined a motorcyclist, operating a 2007 Yamaha, was struck by a motorist, operating a 2007 Honda Odyssey, in the intersection. The motorcyclist, identified as Kevin Franzen (41) ofChannahon , IL Memorial Hospital in Woodstock
Briarwood Roadinvolving a motorcyclist. Upon arrival crews determined a motorcyclist, operating a 2007 Yamaha, was struck by a motorist, operating a 2007 Honda Odyssey, in the intersection. The motorcyclist, identified as Kevin Franzen (41) of
The subsequent traffic crash investigation revealed James Golnik (71), a resident of McHenry , IL
Briarwood Roadin opposing directions. Franzen intended on proceeding through the intersection. Golnik turned left toward southbound
Briarwood Road
Briarwood Roadin opposing directions. Franzen intended on proceeding through the intersection. Golnik turned left toward southbound
Briarwood Road
Golnik was cited with Improper Left Turn at an Intersection and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Illinois Complied Statutes 625ILCS 5.0/11-902 and 5.0/3-707. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 21st, 2011 at the McHenry County Courthouse.
Traffic on Route 176 between
Briarwood Roadand Route 14 was closed for approximately 25 minutes.
Briarwood Roadand Route 14 was closed for approximately 25 minutes.
Why didn't the driver see the motorcycle? It's not like the motorcycle came out of nowhere. Was it inattention or might the minivan driver have a vision impairment that created a "blind spot"?
7 comments:
A few observations -
Seniors making left turns under any circumstance are only slightly less deadly than teenagers with open liquor in a stolen car.
With all the new side curtain airbags packed into what amounts to a now-giant "A"-pillar that often blocks our collective vision as drivers, I'm surprised that so few accidents actually occur.
Loud motorcycles used to annoy me. I'm now glad that they're often both annoying and incredibly obvious because you can hear them there.
Was this a quiet staid Yamaha, or was this an 8000RPM-revving crotch rocket?
Myself, a long time motorcycle enthusiast have always loved the feeling of the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.... freedom!
Now at age 50, I have gone to Farm and Fleet and have purchased for a couple bucks, a bright green mesh vest such as worn by the construction workers who work the Highways.
I now wear a helmet, a cool 'German Army Helmet Type' to add some style to the safety factor.
Yea its cool to ride 'free,' this being said, its also cool to return home safely to 'ride another day.'
Nothing cool about death.....
What made me change my own 'dress up habit?'
Last summer while pulling from the shoulder of the road, I pulled right out in front of a biker who was darn near right next to me.
I honestly never saw him.... this scared me as much as if I were the one on the bike.
SO. it's easy to miss the biker and many times it is no fault of the auto driver.
Make "accessorizing" cool again!
Thank you Gus for bringing these stories to our attention.
Now everybody head on down to Woodstock Harley Davidson and come on over to the "Dark Side."
You wont find a nicer and more family oriented type people than those who are bikers.
We are not all middle aged people who are against 'government' as MSNBC host Chris Matthews described us on his talk show last month.
Maybe Chris Matthews needs a good "Hard Ride" on the back of a Harley....might loosen him up a bit?
Most bikers are community minded and like truckers, are the first to stop to render aid to those injured on our roadways.
With the cost of many Harleys and other fine brands now reaching the 25,000.00 dollar range for an average bike, think of us as your friends, your lawyers and your doctors and law enforcement officers.
Many bikers are your local law enforcement officers such as Deputy Sheriffs on their own time, using their bikes to attend "Toys for Tots" type activities, AND, let's be honest, nothing more cool for tax payers big and small, to see a Police Officer all decked out in Uniform riding a Harley.
"Biking" is a sport worthy of respect by those who drive the SUV's, with all the rights that come with any other lawfully licensed vehicles on our roadways.
Thank you.
Dave Bachmann
Thanks, DBTR and Bounty Hunter, for your comments.
I hope my comment about the minivan driver's eyesight was taken as intended. As folks age (even drivers), vision changes. Several years ago I persuaded a senior citizen to stop driving because of her poor vision, and I began providing her transportation, until Faith In Action took over. She had macular degeneration in one eye, glaucoma in the other. When her eye doctor said it "would be better" if she didn't drive, I asked him to say it a different way. He said, "Don't drive at all."
After thinking about a full-face helmet for 4-5 years, I finally bought one. Next up? A Day-Glo vest. You're right about visibility, even if it doesn't "look cool".
Point well taken Gus. Indeed it was my 'aging eyes' that did not allow me to focus well enough to see the bike comning up from my blind spot
Thank God, I did NOT hit him..of course he made sure I knew he did not appreciate the near miss :)
I also now wear driving glasses as well. What has me a bit more nervous are those drivers not looking at the road who are oncoming right at you.
Oh they look up once and a while from the IPOD or Cell Phone, but I have to admit, I have white knuckles now when Im riding on a 2 lane highway.
You will look good in your mesh neon green vest Gus... all tanned up coming home from the gym all 'pumped' up... Da' Ladies won't be able to resist!
Safe riding everybody and enjoy this beautiful summer. Im heading to Candada on my bike next month, the interstate is almosts barren as you get furtehr north.
Lane position of oncoming motorcycles - I often wonder why some bikers ride almost top of the centerline.
An author of a recent magazine article discussed this issue. A motorcyclist riding in the left-half of a lane will be seen sooner by oncoming drivers. But why do some ride almost on top of the centerlane?
I watch the left-front tire of the oncoming vehicle. Far too often, car drivers between Woodstock and Crystal Lake wander across the center line - while talking away on phones, texting, eating, drinking. Now drivers can even watch movies and TV on their phones.
Maybe it's time for Illinois to ban, State-wide, the use of handheld communication devices by all drivers of moving vehicles.
Well, so much for the new installation of "Ape" handle bars on my new Harley D Rocker C....
I was having a Movie Playing DVD complete with surround sound mounted on the new Bars!!
Keep the rubber side down!
If you get those big apehanger bars that bow way out, you might have room for a big wide-screen plasma screen. Remember the little rear-facing webcam (like on the big RVs), so you can see the County Mountie sneaking up behind to peek at your movie.
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