Joliet motorcycle operator killed in I-55 car crash: coroner

The operator of a motorcycle was killed in a car crash on Interstate 55, according to the Will County Coroner’s Office.

Joseph P. McGrath, 21, of Joliet, was pronounced deceased at close to 12:30 a.m. on Monday at the AMITA Health Adventist Medical Center emergency room in Bolingbrook, officials said.

McGrath was driving a motorcycle that collided with another vehicle on I-55 southbound near mile marker 265, officials said.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday.

About 10:45 p.m. Sunday, McGrath, who was riding a Suzuki motorcycle, and Micha J. McClleland, 38, of Bloomington, the driver of a Honda Odyssey, were both heading south of I-55 north of Veterans Parkway in the center lane, according to an Illinois State Police news release.

The front end of McGrath's motorcycle struck the rear end of McClleland's vehicle, police said. McGrath was ejected from his motorcycle and came to rest in the center lane, police said.

The motorcycle “became fully engulfed and came to rest on the shoulder facing northbound,” police said.

McGrath suffered life-threatening injuries and succumbed to those injuries on scene, police said. McClleland did not suffer any injuries.

About 10:53 p.m., all southbound lanes on I-55 were shut down for the investigation, with traffic diverted to Route 53, police said. The I-55 ramp to Route 53 was also shut down. All lanes were re-opened at about 12:07 a.m.

The investigation remains ongoing, police said.