Jefferey Foster Killed in Mackinaw Motorcycle Accident
The Armington resident died following a collision with a truck on Illinois Route 9 near Leopold Street
Motorcyclists accounted for 13.4% of all traffic fatalities in Illinois in 2023, according to the state Department of Transportation, a grim figure underscored by a deadly weekend crash in Tazewell County.
Jefferey Foster, 62, of Armington, was killed in a motorcycle crash with a truck on Illinois Route 9 near Leopold Street in Mackinaw on Saturday, according to the Tazewell County Coroner.
The motorcycle collided with the truck at approximately 6:18 p.m. Foster, who was the sole passengers of the bike, suffered multiple blunt force injuries during the impact.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Charles Hanley. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Authorities have not released details regarding the truck's direction of travel or what caused the collision. The crash remains under investigation.
How common are fatal motorcycle crashes in Illinois?
Motorcycle death remain a significant concern across the state. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, motorcycles were involved in 119 deaths in a single recent year, representing more than 11% of all motor vehicle death statewide.
When larger vehicles are involved, the size disparity often leads to catastrophic outcomes for the rider.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Motorcycle collisions often result in complex investigations because riders are more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries than occupants of larger vehicles."
Legal counsel can coordinate with forensic experts, preserve roadway evidence, and review traffic camera footage, while also guiding families through insurance disputes, added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
"An attorney can protect victims from powerful insurance companies and their teams of lawyers by carefully examining the facts of an accident. Serving as an advocate, legal counsel vigorously stands beside families who have lost loved ones, ensuring that legal rights remain safeguarded during the difficult aftermath of a serious roadway tragedy," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
For families like Foster's, understanding the full scope of the investigation is critical. Independent crash reconstructionists often review electronic logging devices and intersection sightlines to determine liability.
Illinois wrongful death statute
Under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Illinois applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society, and grief.