 Richard J. Pedota, age 63, of Palos Hills, was pronounced dead at
6:19 a.m. Friday in the emergency department at Abraham Lincoln
Memorial Hospital.Pedota was riding his motorcycle southbound on
I-55 near the 137 mile marker when he became involved in a car
versus motorcycle collision.
The cause of death is under investigation. The Illinois State
Police handled the crash and an ISP crash reconstruction officer was
dispatched to the accident scene.
An autopsy will be performed Monday in Springfield by Dr. John
Ralston.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
___
The names of those involved in the fatal accident have been
released by the Illinois State Police, and an initial report on the
accident is as follows:
Incident: Two-vehicle crash with a fatality
Location: Southbound Interstate 55, milepost 137, three miles
south of the Atlanta exit
Date, time: Sept. 16, 5:41 a.m.
People involved:
-
Tyler R. Balsey,
driver of unit one, 18, Sterling
-
Lance W. Cathcart,
passenger in unit one, 19, Geneseo
-
Prentice J. Thomas,
passenger in unit one, 19, Carbondale
-
Michael L. Johnson,
passenger in unit one, 19, Lincoln
-
Michael Togher,
passenger in unit one, 19, New Lenox
-
Deceased driver of unit two:
63-year-old male, Palos Hills
Assisting agencies: Logan County Sheriff's Department,
Illinois Department of Transportation, Logan County Paramedic
Association
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Narrative:
Units one and two were southbound on I-55. Tyler Balsey was
driving a red 2003 Ford Mustang in the passing lane when he drifted
onto the shoulder. He lost control and traveled back onto the
roadway, into the right lane. The passenger side of Balsey's vehicle
struck the left side of a black 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
Both vehicles went into the west ditch. The motorcycle flipped,
and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. Balsey's vehicle came to
rest facing south in the ditch.
The driver of the motorcycle died at the scene. Balsey and his
passengers were not injured.
Balsey received citations under zero tolerance, improper lane
usage and illegal consumption. Michael Johnson received a citation
for illegal consumption. Further charges are pending the completion
of the crash investigation.
___
The public is reminded that all individuals are presumed innocent
until charges are proven in a court of law.
[Text from files received from the
Logan County coroner and
Illinois
State Police District 9]
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