Elgin motorcyclist dies in crash in Geneva Township

GENEVA TOWNSHIP – A 27-year-old motorcyclist traveling at an "excessive speed" died Wednesday morning after striking a Freightliner semi tractor near Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, Kane County Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said.

Sheriff's deputies and Geneva Fire Department personnel responded to the intersection of Kirk Road and Cherry Lane at 7 a.m.

Initial investigation indicated the Freightliner, which had a trailer, had the green light and was turning left from the stadium entrance on Cherry Lane to northbound Kirk Road, Gengler said.

A Suzuki GSX motorcycle traveling south on Kirk Road reportedly failed to stop and hit the side of trailer.

The driver, Eric Mondragon of Elgin, was thrown from the motorcycle, and the vehicle itself continued about 200 yards before it stopped, Gengler said.

That the motorcycle traveled that far before stopping indicates Mondragon was traveling faster than the posted speed limit of 45 mph, Gengler said, noting excessive speed appeared to be a factor in the crash.

He said it does not appear that drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.

Mondragon, who was wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene, Gengler said. Gengler said the driver of the semi – a 50-year-old man from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – was not injured.

Kirk Road was closed for more than three hours while the crash was investigated.

The sheriff's office was assisted by the Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team, Geneva police, Batavia police and the Kane County Office of Emergency Management.