A Bureau County man has been ticketed for littering after grass clippings he blew onto Route 6 contributed to a fatal motorcycle crash on June 8.
Jay A. Pankey was mowing near Mineral, Illinois, when he reportedly left an “approximately 1/8 mile long stretch of debris” on the roadway, according to the Bureau County Sheriff’s accident report.
Following the debris, a group of six motorcycles encountered the clippings, forcing riders to navigate near the center line. As Thomas E. Zeglen slowed down to avoid the hazard, his wife, Cheryl I. Zeglen, rear-ended him after failing to notice his deceleration.
Cheryl Zeglen was thrown from her motorcycle and succumbed to injuries two days later. Thomas Zeglen declined medical treatment at the scene.
Authorities noted this incident emphasizes ongoing safety campaigns regarding grass clippings and motorcycle safety. The state penalty for first-offense littering of grass clippings in Illinois could lead to a $1,500 fine.
Pankey is scheduled to appear in court on July 9. The investigation revealed that Cheryl Zeglen was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, as Illinois is one of three states without a helmet law for motorcycle riders.