Month: June 2019

Mokena Motorcycle Crash Along La Grange Road Leads To Fatality

A Mokena motorcycle crash occurred Wednesday, June 26, 2019. The cause of the crash appears to be a motorcycle loss of control that occurred for a currently undetermined reason. The accident led to the death of the motorcyclist.

Details on this fatal Mokena motorcycle crash appear somewhat limited at this time. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The accident is discussed in a number of media sources, including the June 27 The Herald-News article titled “Man dies after motorcycle crash in Mokena.” An excerpt:

The crash happened while Mark L. Batka, a Bloomingdale resident, was traveling south on La Grange Road just south of Interstate 80 in Mokena, according to a news release from the Will County Coroner’s Office. He was thrown from the bike as a result of the crash.

Batka, 63, was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox for treatment of his accident injuries. He was pronounced dead in the afternoon.

The accident is also discussed in the June 26 Mokena Patch article titled “Motorcyclist Injured In Traffic Accident in Mokena: Cops.” According to that article, witnesses say that Batka at some point “lay down his bike.”

This Mokena motorcycle crash is under investigation and an autopsy will be performed. An accident reconstruction is also planned.

Additional details and possible updates concerning this Mokena motorcycle crash can be seen in the articles mentioned above.

Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons. The last couple of years has seen many fatal Illinois motorcycle crashes – including Will County motorcycle crashes – caused by a loss of control. These types of crashes can happen for many reasons. Some reasons are beyond the control of the rider. Among these reasons is defective motorcycle parts or components and road hazards.

Other loss of control incidents are due to motorcyclist error. Rider error includes taking a curve at too high a speed, or riding in an otherwise high-risk manner. These “risky” motorcycle behaviors are further discussed on the “High-Risk Motorcyclist Actions” page.

Southbound I-55 Car Crash Near Bolingbrook Leads To Fatality

A southbound I-55 car crash fatality occurred early Friday (June 21, 2019) morning. The crash involved a passenger car and Illinois State Police car. This southbound I-55 car crash involved an apparent loss of vehicle control near Bolingbrook. The accident happened in a construction zone just north of the Weber Road exit.

This southbound I-55 car crash is discussed in a number of media sources, including the June 21, 2019 kwqc.com article (with video and accident scene photos) titled “‘Please remember to be alert’; Illinois State Trooper injured, one dead after crash.” An excerpt:

Officials say the driver, a 33-year-old woman from Crest Hill, was driving a Fiat, lost control of the vehicle while traveling through the construction zone and overturned multiple times across the two left lanes. During this, the Fiat hit the rear of the trooper’s vehicle causing damage and injuring the trooper. The trooper had minor injuries.

Officials say the woman died from her injuries as a result of the crash.

The driver of the Fiat was identified as Danielle Nino, 33, of Crest Hill. She was declared dead at the accident scene by the Will County Coroner’s Office.

The accident remains under investigation.

Additional details regarding this southbound I-55 car crash can be seen in the article mentioned above as well as the June 21 wspynews.com article titled “Crest Hill Woman Killed, ISP Trooper Injured in Crash on I-55 Near Romeoville.”

Will County accidents involving loss of vehicle control are further discussed on the “Will County Loss Of Control Accidents” page. As mentioned on that page, there can be many reasons why a driver may lose control of a vehicle. Construction zones, such as that in the fatal I-55 car crash summarized above, can present a setting in which accidents are more likely to occur. Inadequate construction zone markings, sudden lane changes or lane endings, and other factors such as driving through a construction zone at excessive speed can increase the likelihood of a construction zone accident.