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Tinley Park, IL (June 21, 2026) – One person died, and another was critically hurt following a two-vehicle collision involving a truck and a motorcycle on Friday night, June 19, in Tinley Park.
According to police, the wreck occurred at the intersection of 163rd Street and Harlem Ave around 9 p.m. Preliminary information indicates that a truck and a motorcycle were involved.
The motorcycle operator lost their life as a result of the crash. A passenger riding on the motorcycle was taken from the roadway with critical injuries. The identity of the deceased had not been released as of Saturday, and records from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office showed that an autopsy was pending.
Harlem Ave was closed between 159th Street and 167th Street for several hours while reconstruction crews examined what happened. Traffic resumed shortly after 1 a.m. Additional information about the collision had not been made public as of this report. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash and expect to release more information in the coming days.
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends mourning this loss.
Why Motorcycle Passengers Usually Face Severe Injuries in Traffic Crashes
Motorcycle passengers are especially vulnerable during serious roadway collisions because they have limited protection compared to occupants of larger vehicles. Even when riders wear helmets and protective gear, the lack of a surrounding frame leaves them exposed to direct contact with the pavement, other vehicles, or roadside objects.
In many cases, injury severity depends on factors such as vehicle speed, angle of contact, weather conditions, and roadway design. Passengers may also face unique risks because they have less control over the motorcycle’s movements than the operator. Medical evaluations following these types of crashes mostly focus on head trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, and internal injuries. As more information becomes available, investigators typically review physical evidence, vehicle damage, witness statements, and roadway conditions to better understand the sequence of events leading up to a serious motorcycle-related collision.
