Update (July 23, 2025): Authorities have identified the motorcyclist who was killed in this accident as Dennis Lewis Jr., 35. He reportedly was on his way to bring his wife and newborn daughter home from the hospital at the time of the crash.

Libertyville, IL — July 18, 2025, a motorcyclist was killed in a truck accident at about 2:30 p.m. on State Route 176/Rockland Road.

Authorities said a 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycle was heading west when it collided with a 2008 Peterbilt dump truck that was turning left onto Bradley Road.

The motorcyclist, a 35-year-old Round Lake Beach man, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. His name has not been made public yet.

The truck driver, who was not injured, remained at the scene to talk to investigators, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lake County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a motorcyclist loses their life in a collision with a dump truck, the question that comes to mind isn’t just “what happened,” but “what exactly went wrong during that left turn?” According to initial reports, the dump truck was turning left onto Bradley Road when it collided with the westbound motorcycle. But we don’t yet know whether the truck turned in front of the motorcycle, whether the rider was speeding or if something else entirely led to the impact.

Without more details, it’s impossible to say who’s at fault, but that doesn't mean we’re left in the dark. It just means we need to dig deeper into the facts.

One critical piece of evidence in a crash like this is timing. Who had the right of way? Could the motorcyclist have reasonably avoided the truck? Or did the truck driver turn across the rider’s path without enough time or space? These aren’t rhetorical questions; they’re fact-based determinations that can often be answered with the right data.

The dump truck involved here is likely equipped with an engine control module (ECM), which can provide a digital snapshot of the truck’s movements leading up to the crash: speed, braking, throttle position and more. That data, combined with physical evidence from the scene and any available dash cam or intersection footage, can help clarify whether the truck’s turn was legal and reasonably safe.

Another important but often overlooked factor is driver behavior and company oversight. Was the truck driver distracted? Cell phone records and in-cab camera footage, if available, would help answer that. What’s more, depending on the employer, we may need to ask whether the driver was properly trained or even fit to be on the road in the first place. I’ve handled cases where truck drivers were hired with little to no screening, or kept on despite a long history of unsafe driving. Those decisions don’t just reflect on the driver; they reflect on the company that put him behind the wheel.

Right now, too much remains unanswered about how and why this crash occurred. But one thing is clear: a proper investigation should leave no stone unturned. That includes collecting digital data, examining the driver’s record and asking tough questions about what policies the trucking company had in place to ensure public safety.

Key Takeaways:

• The central issue is whether the truck’s left turn cut off the motorcycle’s path or was made legally and safely.
• ECM data, dash cam footage and intersection video can offer crucial clarity about what really happened.
• Driver distraction or poor judgment may have played a role, but only a full investigation will confirm that.
• The trucking company’s hiring and oversight practices could be relevant, depending on what the investigation uncovers.
• Comprehensive evidence gathering, not assumptions, is the only way to determine who should be held accountable.