MONROE — Illinois authorities released the name of a teen who died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash last month.

Stephenson County Sheriff’s police said Anthony JT Robinson, 19 of Lena, died at an area hospital from injuries sustained during the June 24 crash.

According to the department, the teen was riding a 2015 Harley Davidson north on Flansburg Road, north of Range Road, when his cycle left the roadway, went into a ditch, and ejected the driver into a nearby cornfield.

According to published reports, citing the sheriff’s office, driving while impaired is believed to be a contributing factor in the crash.

MADISON — As Wisconsin’s summer weather moves along, motorcycle season is in full gear, drivers will be sharing the road with smaller vehicles through fall. 

The Wisconsin State Patrol reminds vehicle drivers and motorcyclists to share the road to keep all travelers safe. 

There are roughly 2,000 motorcycle crashes every year in Wisconsin, involving hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities.

“When we share the road, we also share the responsibility to make every trip as safe as possible for all road users,” Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists need to be aware of each other on the roads and look twice before changing lanes or making turns.”

Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than other motorists, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Driving near motorcycles

Motorcycles are smaller than the average vehicle, so they can be harder to see on the roads and it’s easy to misjudge their speed and distance. Drivers are asked to use caution when traveling near motorcycles.

Drivers are encouraged to: 

●  Look twice for motorcycles; many crashes happen when drivers pull out from a stop sign, turn left, or change lanes

●  Keep a safe following distance from a motorcycle; they have a shorter stopping distance so if a motorcycle needs to stop suddenly, you need more room to avoid a collision 

●  Avoid distractions and drive sober

Riding safely

Sharing the road is a two-way street, so motorcyclists need to do their part to be visible and follow the same rules of the road as other vehicles. Safe riding practices help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the roads. 

Riders should consider the following:

●  Avoid distractions and ride sober

●  Know and observe all traffic laws, including obeying the speed limit

●  Ride defensively and don’t take risks

●  Scan the road ahead carefully, especially on curves, looking for gravel and sand

●  Do not share a lane with another vehicle; staggered riding is suggested for multiple motorcycles 

Protective, high visibility clothing and safety gear is recommended and helmets are strongly encouraged to prevent serious injury in a crash. Helmets are required by state law for riders under 18. In Wisconsin, 69% of motorcyclists who died in crashes were not wearing a helmet (2018-2021).

Training and education

Training and education are key to prevent motorcycle crashes and injuries. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s partners provide rider courses to help motorcyclists earn their motorcycle license and improve rider skills. A motorcycle license is required to ride in Wisconsin.