Bicyclist Fights For Life, Struck By Car In Middle Of Night: Joliet PD

JOLIET — A 20-year-old Joliet man who riding his mountain bicycle in the middle of the night was hit by a 57-year-old Morris woman as he traveled east along West Jefferson Street near Houbolt Road, Joliet police announced. The bicyclist suffered serious injuries in the crash.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English:

At 3:44 a.m. on Monday, officers responded to West Jefferson Street west of Houbolt Road for a crash involving a cyclist.

A Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by the Morris woman was eastbound West Jefferson Street approaching Houbolt Road in the inside lane.

The Jeep struck the Joliet 20-year-old who was riding a mountain bike on West Jefferson Street, causing him to be thrown from the bicycle.

He was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department with serious injuries. The driver of the Jeep was uninjured in the crash.

Officers determined that the bicycle had no lights and the portion of the roadway where the crash occurred was not illuminated by streetlights.

On the Joliet Police Department Facebook, a number of people posted comments in regard to the collision:

• "There was a guy on a bicycle riding down the middle of the street with no lights this morning according to someone who almost hit him about 3:50. I wonder if that is the accident."
• "It is. Just went by on my bike."
• "Twice this weekend I saw two different bicyclists blow right through intersections with 4 way stops without even looking."

The roadway was closed while members of the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit reconstructed the crash scene. Anyone with video footage or information regarding this crash is encouraged to contact the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at (815)724-3193. This crash remains under investigation, English announced.