A Mundelein man died after a crash involving his motorcycle and a minivan, which was driven by a Waukegan woman, in Arlington Heights, with his family calling it an “unimaginable loss.”
The Arlington Heights Police Department and Arlington Heights Fire Department responded around 5:30 p.m. last Wednesday to the intersection of Golf Road and Goebbert Road in Arlington Heights for a vehicle crash.
Police officials said a preliminary investigation shows a black 2017 Toyota Sienna minivan was traveling westbound on Golf Road.
The Toyota, driven by a 48-year-old Waukegan woman, entered the intersection with Goebbert Road on a green light.
The woman, who was the sole occupant of the Toyota, made a left turn to travel southbound on Goebbert Road.
A black 1979 Yamaha Special 650 motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Golf Road at the same time, police officials said.
The motorcycle, driven by a 44-year-old man, entered the intersection of Goebbert Road on a solid green signal.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Jeffrey Tanafranca, 44, of Mundelein. Police said they believe he was a resident of Park Ridge but the medical examiner’s office said he resided in Mundelein.
The motorcycle collided with the front passenger tire area of the Toyota as the minivan was turning. The driver of the Toyota was not injured.
Emergency crews arrived and found Tanafranca, who was wearing a helmet, was unresponsive with significant traumatic injuries, police officials said.
The Arlington Heights Fire Department assessed Tanafranca and “immediately initiated extraordinary” advanced life support care.
Tanafranca was transported to Endeavor Health Northwestern Community Hospital in Arlington Heights where he died in the emergency room.
Eastbound Golf Road between Arlington Heights Road and Goebbert Road was shut down for approximately four hours while the incident was investigated.
An independent witness traveling behind the motorcycle told investigators that the rider’s speed was approximately 30 mph and the Goebbert Road traffic light was green for eastbound drivers when the van turned in front of the motorcyclist, police officials said.
The Arlington Heights Police Department is being assisted in the investigation by the Major Case Assistance Team – Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) specialized investigative unit.
No traffic citations have been issued and the case remains under investigation.
Niles resident Mayrel de Guzman said Tanafranca was on the way home from work and lives were “changed forever” in an instant upon his death.
“As a caring husband, compassionate son, admirable brother, loving uncle and a great friend – his sudden passing has left family & friends in deep grief, struggling to imagine every family gatherings & holidays without his laughter, warmth, and love,” Guzman said.
Guzman said Tanafranca was the type of guy you could always count on. “He had the biggest heart, jokes that can light up the room, and the person who always had the answers. He was loved my many.”
A visitation is set for Saturday and Sunday at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home of Niles. A funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday at St. Isaac Jogues Church in Niles.
A GoFundMe account with a $10,000 goal was created to help the family pay funeral costs.