Cyclist David Weber Killed By Teen Driver On IL-15
By Alex Haglund
David Weber, 63, of Venedy, was killed after being struck by a car while he was riding his bicycle on IL-15 on the evening of Thursday, September 7.
According to the Illinois State Police, the collision took place at approximately 5:19 p.m., when Weber was riding his Specialized Roubaix road bike eastbound on IL-15 just west of Little Prairie Road.
Weber was struck from behind by a 1997 Ford F150 driven by a juvenile female, who was charged after the crash for improper cell phone usage. Weber, who was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, was knocked from the bicycle, and came to rest south of IL-15.
The driver of the F-150 continued on after the collision, not stopping for more than a half mile past the site of the accident.
Weber was evacuated from the scene and taken to Washington County Hospital for emergency medical treatment. At approximately 6:24 p.m., the doctor on call at the WCH Emergency Room declared Weber dead from the trauma of his injuries.
The office of Washington County Coroner Mark Styninger was dispatched to the WCH emergency room at 6:35 p.m., and Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Fletcher responded to the hospital and was later joined by Styninger.
According to the Coroner’s release, the cause of death appeared to be internal bleeding from blunt force trauma. Toxicology samples were taken and will be submitted for routine testing.
Following the crash, the juvenile driver was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and improper passing of bicycle, as well as improper cell phone usage.
The crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit, Illinois State Police District 13, and the Washington County Coroner’s Office. Area fire departments and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance at the scene.
