Driver in fatal cited for failure to yield
By Joseph Bustos
jbustos@svnmail.com
800-798-4085, ext. 529
A Dixon man has been cited with failing to yield in a crash that killed a Rock Falls motorcyclist Sunday, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.
Terrance Tyne, 53, was westbound on U.S. Route 30 when his motorcycle hit a pickup truck driven by Chris J. Roberts, 47, who was northbound on Harmon Road.
Stop signs are posted for traffic on Harmon, investigators said.
Sheriff’s Cpl. Will Roberts said witnesses disagree about whether Chris Roberts stopped at the intersection, so it will be up to the Lee County state’s attorney’s office to decide whether to proceed with more serious charges.
State’s Attorney Henry Dixon could not immediately be reached for comment this morning.
“The case is far from being closed,” Roberts said.
Upon conviction, the charge carries a fine of up to $10,000, and because the crash resulted in a death, Roberts faces the possibility of having his license suspended for 2 years.
Tyne’s wife, Kristine, a passenger on the motorcycle, was taken to CGH Medical Center with undisclosed injuries. She was released Wednesday.
When reached by phone Wednesday, Chris Roberts’ wife, Sheryl, said that this was the first they were hearing of the charge, and that her husband would not comment.
According to online court records, he pleaded guilty to speeding in 1992, 1998 and 2007.
