A 20-year-old man was seriously injured and flown to the hospital after he crashed his motorcycle into a car and was then run over by a second vehicle in Crystal Lake.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department and Crystal Lake Police Department responded around 10 a.m. Thursday to Route 176 east of Haligus Road for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
A 20-year-old Fox Lake man, who was operating a motorcycle, was traveling on Route 176 when he struck the rear of a car.
The motorcyclist was ejected and thrown into oncoming traffic where he was run over by a Toyota 4Runner SUV, according to Matt Bernhard, who is a close friend and co-worker of the victim.
Paramedics transported the man, who was conscious and breathing, to Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.
A LifeNet helicopter landed at the hospital and transferred the man to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.
Bernhard told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the 20-year-old man had recently bought the motorcycle.
The crash occurred after the motorcycle reportedly experienced mechanical problems.
Bernhard said the motorcycle had its throttle stuck and the operator attempted to brake and shut it off but he was unable to slow down in time before hitting the car.
A Huntley woman along with a second bystander, who is a retired doctor, both stopped to aid the motorcyclist following the crash.
The victim has been hospitalized and was unable to walk until two days ago, Bernhard said.
He suffered a possible ruptured spleen, fractured lower vertebrae and other injuries, including road rash. He is also experiencing numb arms.
The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and he does not plan on ever riding a motorcycle again, Bernhard said.
The 20-year-old began eating solid foods on Sunday and will possibly be discharged from the hospital by Monday.
“I don’t know how he’s walking out of the hospital tomorrow,” Bernhard said, referring to the seriousness of the collision.
Route 176 between Haligus Road and Briarwood Road was shut down for a crash investigation Thursday.
The Crystal Lake Police Department has not released any information on the crash, including whether any citations were issued.