Motorcyclist, 33, dies in collision with car Sunday in Sterling

STERLING – A 33-year-old Sterling man died in a car vs. motorcycle crash around 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of West Fourth Street and East Avenue on the west side of town, near Casey’s General Store, police said.

According SPD spokesman Sgt. Pat Bartel:

Terry L. Jones II was westbound on Fourth. An eastbound pickup driven by Clifford A. Collins, 41, of Sterling, was stopped, preparing to turn left onto East Avenue. Another eastbound vehicle behind that, driven by a 17-year-old Sterling boy, apparently did not see the pickup at first, swerved around it to avoid hitting it, and collided with the motorcycle.

Jones was thrown from his bike into the north ditch.

A vehicle traveling behind the motorcycle, driven by Tammy L. Williams, 49, of Sterling, wound up in the northside ditch, after swerving to avoid hitting it.

The 17-year-old was cited for having no valid driver’s license; the investigation continues and more charges are pending, Bartel said.

That section of Fourth was closed until about 10:45 p.m. while Illinois State Police crash reconstructionists worked the scene.

This appears to be Sterling’s first motorcycle fatality of the season, Bartel said.

McDonald Funeral Home is handling Jones’ arrangements.