Wadsworth, IL (July 21, 2026) – Two people suffered critical injuries after a moped was struck by a car on Sunday afternoon on Delany Road at August Zupec Drive in Wadsworth. Emergency crews responded to the crash at approximately 1:45 p.m. on July 19.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrived to find a Honda 150 moped with extensive damage and its two occupants unconscious in the roadway. Investigators said the moped, operated by a 35-year-old man with a 32-year-old woman riding as a passenger, was traveling northbound on Delany Road and appeared to slow in preparation for a left turn onto August Zupec Drive.
Authorities said a Chevrolet Malibu traveling northbound behind the moped swerved into the southbound lane and struck the moped as it was making the left turn. The impact threw both riders onto the roadway.
The moped operator and passenger were transported to an area hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. The 24-year-old woman driving the Chevrolet and her 49-year-old passenger were not injured.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Technical Crash Investigations Team continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Our thoughts are with the injured riders, and we wish them both a full and speedy recovery.
Why May Moped Rear-End Collisions Result in Severe Injuries?
Moped riders have little physical protection during a crash, making them especially vulnerable to serious injuries when struck by larger vehicles. Even collisions at moderate speeds can eject riders from the vehicle, resulting in life-threatening trauma.
Investigators typically examine vehicle damage, skid marks, roadway conditions, and the final positions of the vehicles to determine how the collision occurred. Witness statements, surveillance footage, and electronic vehicle data may also help reconstruct the sequence of events.
When riders are found unconscious or suffer critical injuries, emergency responders focus on stabilizing them and providing rapid transport to a trauma center. Investigators continue gathering evidence after the scene is cleared to determine the factors that contributed to the crash.
