On Tuesday, February 25th, at approximately 4:21 PM, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a single–vehicle motorcycle crash with injuries on Buell Road, south of Gaulrapp Road.
The initial investigation revealed that the motorcycle was traveling southbound on Buell Road at a high rate of speed. The rider failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of Buell and Gaulrapp Roads. Shortly after, the rider lost control of the motorcycle, which veered into the west ditch. Both the rider and the motorcycle traveled a significant distance in the ditch before coming to rest.
The rider, identified as Austin Riddle, 21, of Rock Falls, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted from the scene by OSF Life Flight helicopter to a regional trauma center for treatment.
The Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Sterling Police Department, Illinois State Police, Tampico Fire Department, Tampico EMS, and Slim–N–Hanks Towing.
The crash remains under investigation by the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office. No further information is available at this time.
