Why is the guy not on the big sidewalk we payed a million bucks in taxes for? That's why Minooka put it there is it not?

I see people riding their bikes in the middle of the road and walking in the middle of the road all the time in Minooka. I always wonder why they don't use the sidewalks. I'm not just talking about kids. Adults walk in the road all the time too and I just don't understand it.

There isn't a sidewalk after Family Video.

Exactly, there is no sidewalk in the stretch of Ridge mentioned in the article. So unbelievable sad. I see kids walking there ALL OF THE TIME and it is very narrow. I guess their parents told them to walk to McDonald's after school or something. We definitely need more sidewalks in Minooka for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cyclists are supposed to use the road. Or next time a bicycle hits an elderly person or child on the sidewalk, there will be another outrage that bikes are on sidewalks. By Illinois law bikes have the same rights, and have to follow the same laws as cars, plus cars must give 3 feet when passing.

R.i.p steve

Bikers please be safe. MAY GOD WATCH OVER ALL OF YOU AND MAY WE DRIVERS BE VIGILANT AND CAUTIOUS OF THEM AND WALKERS. AMEN

Was the person wearing a helmet?

R,i.p Steve u will be missed and FYI there was no side walk. I worked with him and he was such a nice guy

Just an FYI this man worked for Grainger for 20 years in Chicago, road his bike everyday, never had an issue. He moved out here less then 6 months ago cuz the company moved and this tragic accident happened....Doesnt matter how much u pay in taxes..be more cautious of those who have to share the same road as u....

Rest in peace steve.... Sad to hear this...tomorrows never promised...R.i.p from your coworkers at Grainger.. :-(

:'(

As motorists it's our job to watch out for cyclists and pedestrians. Let's try to remember we're safely encompassed in our vehicles while they are exposed to us and whatever weather or environmental condition effects our driving. A life was lost and family and friends are grieving. Let's try to take more care driving.

I have been at Grainger for 18 years and he was one of the best people i ever worked with. Always positive, always helpful, never complained. RIP Steve.

We pay so much money in taxes in the Village of Minooka, yet there are no contiguous sidewalks for our residents to use. Many a day I've had to swerve to avoid hitting children and teenagers who are walking from the Intermediate/Jr. High to either McDonalds or 7-11...they are forced to walk on the gravel/grass or roadway because there is no sidewalk available for their use on either side of Ridge Road. In a village that is so heavily populated by children, this is a safety issue that should be visited immediately. Yesterday it was a 43 year old man who lost his life, tomorrow, it could be one of our children. Imagine the guilt that the person who hit this man will have to live with for the rest of his/her life. Then imagine the guilt one would feel if they hit a child walking on that same stretch of Ridge Road. The Village seems to have money for all kinds of non-essential projects, this is most definitely an essential and potentially life saving project.

I enjoy reading the Patch. However, I do not feel it is appropriate to post pictures of an accident where a death or injury is involved. This is not the first time I've seen pictures that you have taken and posted for all to see. How about the families/friends of those involved? How about providing the deceased some dignity instead of posting pictures of their personal belongings scattered in the ditch? Ther police and paramedics would get disciplined if they took pictures and posted them. So why are you allowed to? We all know what car accidents look like and it doesn't make your story any more readable. Have some respect.

Meghan,

I fully concur. I was disturbed looking at the pictures. Showing the victim, alive still or deceased, on the stretcher, being put into the ambulance, his personal belongings and the broken windshield is just plain wrong.

How about the driver? Where they distracted driving? It is very sad this man who had all the precautions, lost his life this way. I pray he didn't suffer and is in heaven watching over other endangered cyclists. Just can't fathom working so hard everday and not being able to enjoy the fruit of your labor that retirement would have given him. Rest in peace sir.

Oh my Goodness!!! There is actually pictures of his bicycle, thinks that were broken off of it, the windshield and HIS BODY ON A STRETCHER!!! Can we think about his family and loved ones who have to see this?? That is very wrong to post the scene where a person lost thier life. Please Patch, do not do this to a person...

with the number of buses and trucks that disregard speed limits, stop signs (bus #120 every morning) and stop lights...this was bound to happen and rests squarely on the city. It's sad that this gentleman, who was doing everything by the book, ends up losing his life because the city and county can't move faster on the widening of Ridge road. Your feet dragging cost this man his life. What will be your excuse the next time?

Prayers for the family.

Rip Steve

This was bound to happen. The village has a habit of NOT using tax dollars to take care of these infrastructure improvements. Instead, they put it on the backs of the developer. Safety takes a backseat.

Incidentally, the rider had every right to be on the road.

We should ban bikes and cars and pictures and news

I chose not to look at the pictures and totally agree that some respect for the family be given here. Patch delivers some great news. In the future please refrain from showing the public what the family does not want to see.

That is absolutely a terrible accident for sure but why do these people on the bikes ride right in the middle of the lane like they are a car?and to do it at night is even crazier!my heart goes out to his family and to the driver of the car that is going to have to live the rest of their life reliving the bike riders foolish decision.

Shame on you patch for even letting Todd Sherman post his pictures on your site. What a discredit to the police and fire service he has been. In no way is he associated with either. All he is doing is selling these photos to news media for money. I hope this family files a law suit on him and the patch!

I know Steve he always had a helmet , lights, flashers at all times when ridding his bike .REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND YOU WILL BE MISSED.

The rider even was properly equipped with flashing lights.

Motorists need to stay off their damn cell phones while driving. As a fire fighter that responds to auto accidents, so many of them are caused by irresponsible drivers texting and using their smart phones and NOT WATCHING THE DAMN ROAD.

This is sad, the problem is theirs 30 cops and always get NEW cop cars. How about spending the tax money on the sidewalks. This town is a joke, there's no real crime in this town. I see Minooka police parked all down Ridge Rd. get rid of half the squad and take that money and put sidewalks in. I hope the mans family sues this city for all it's worth.

No real crime in Minooka? Hmmm ...maybe because you have cops that are doing their job. I always hear how bad Minooka cops are. If you're obeying the laws then you shouldn't have a problem, right?

This idea that a sidewalk would have prevented this accident is wrongheaded. Sidewalks are not meant for bicycles. Sidewalks exist for pedestrians. Bike paths, while a nice amenity, are also no substitute for a properly constructed roadway in terms of safety. People need to learn that the bicycling is not just a recreational activity. For many, it is a preferred method of transportation. The roads don't exist only for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. By law, they exist for the bicycle rider, too.