Joliet Bicyclist Riding Along Sidewalks Hit By Vehicle: Joliet Police

JOLIET, IL — For the second straight month, an older Joliet bicycle rider was seriously hurt after being hit by a car. Last month's collision happened as the bicyclist was unsuccessful in his attempt at crossing Essington Road. Saturday morning's crash was at a stop light along West Jefferson Street.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 12:26 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of West Jefferson Street and Springfield Avenue for a crash involving a
vehicle and a bicyclist.

A Toyota Camry driven by a 45-year-old Joliet woman was
stopped southbound on Springfield Avenue at West Jefferson Street, waiting to turn right onto westbound Jefferson Street. Police say investigators believe the driver initiated the right turn and struck the 69-year-old Joliet man riding his bicycle as he was traveling eastbound on the sidewalk on the south
side of West Jefferson Street and had entered the roadway to cross Springfield Avenue.

"At the time of the crash, the traffic signal for Springfield Avenue was believed to be red," English said, also telling Joliet Patch that the bicycle rider did not have a safety helmet.

"The impact caused the bicyclist to be thrown from the bicycle. At the time of the crash, the traffic signal for Springfield Avenue was believed to be red," English announced.

The bicyclist was taken by the Joliet Fire Department to Saint Joseph Medical Center with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Toyota was not injured.
Westbound lanes of West Jefferson Street were temporarily closed while traffic investigators conducted a reconstruction of the crash.

No citations have been issued at this time. The incident remains under investigation by the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit, English added.