Motorcyclist Hit at Dangerous Briarwood-Rt. 176 Corner

A motorcyclist got hit by a motorist at Briarwood and Rt. 176 Saturday.

My preferred route to Woodstock takes me across Route 176 on Briarwood.

I nominate it as the most dangerous corner in Crystal Lake. It most certainly needs a traffic light and I can’t understand why Crystal Lake and state officials don’t install one.

Today a motorcyclist without a helmet got hit by a motorist who said he didn’t see the smaller vehicle.

Below is the Crystal Lake Police Department’s press release about the accident.

Crystal Lake Traffic Crash June 25th, 2011

On Saturday, June 25th, 2011, at approximately 1:00pm, emergency crews from the Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue and Police Departments responded to a report of a traffic crash on Route 176 at the intersection with Briarwood Road involving a motorcyclist.
Upon arrival crews determined a motorcyclist, operating a 2007 Yamaha, was struck by a motorist, operating a 2007 Honda Odyssey, in the intersection.

The motorcyclist, identified as Kevin Franzen (41) of Channahon, IL, was treated by Crystal Lake Fire/Rescue for head and shoulder injuries sustained as a result of the collision. Franzen, who was not wearing a helmet, was transported to Memorial Hospital in Woodstock for further treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening.

The subsequent traffic crash investigation revealed James Golnik (71), a resident of McHenry, IL, was traveling westbound on Route 176 while operating the Honda Odyssey.

Franzen was traveling eastbound on Route 176.

Both men entered the intersection with Briarwood Road in opposing directions.

Franzen intended on proceeding through the intersection. Golnik turned left toward southbound Briarwood Road and struck Franzen’s motorcycle.

Golnik reported he did not see the motorcycle and believed he was struck from behind by another vehicle.

However, witnesses on scene reported Golnik turned into the motorcycle and he was not struck by any other vehicle.

Golnik was cited with Improper Left Turn at an Intersection and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Illinois Complied Statutes 625ILCS 5.0/11-902 and 5.0/3-707. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 21st, 2011 at the McHenry County Courthouse.

Traffic on Route 176 between Briarwood Road and Route 14 was closed for approximately 25 minutes.


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