Chicago student riding bicycle fatally hit by semi in Noble Square

Image 1 of 2

A 20-year-old woman was hit and killed by a semi while biking in the Noble Square neighborhood Tuesday morning.

The crash happened about 8:15 a.m. in the 800 block of North Milwaukee, according to Chicago Police.

The bicyclist was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she later died. She was identified as Lisa Kuivinen of the 3700 block of Wren Lane in northwest suburban Rolling Meadows, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Her Facebook page identifies her as a student at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago.

Witnesses say the young woman was headed eastbound in the 800 block of Milwaukee and riding within the bike lane when a truck carrying construction supplies moved to the right and hit her, dragging her about a hundred feet before the truck driver stopped.

"He got out of the semi, looked underneath the semi-truck and then immediately started calling police. The body was under the first set of wheels,” said Luke Kras.

Milwaukee Avenue is the busiest bike corridor in the city, and people who live and work in the area say they're not surprised there was an accident.

"It almost seems inevitable. Just the volume of bikes and you see how the lanes get squeezed in there. You're surprised you don’t hear about it more often,” said business owner Bill Zigmond.

On one side of Milwaukee Avenue, there's a concrete divider with reflector sticks that separate the bike lane from the traffic. However, on another side where the accident occurred - that bike lane - there is no divider. It's hard up against the traffic flow.
   
"And I don't know why it's not like that right here. And that's a problem,” said Roger Prenta.

There’s also a lot of construction in the area, which has closed some portions of the bike lane, forcing bike riders to veer out into the middle of the street.

Bicyclists say it's an area of concern.

"I'm always mindful. I always wear a helmet. But accidents do happen so it's always very risky when you get on a bike,” said Matthew Sherbach.

A spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation says as in every bike and pedestrian accident, they will conduct a review of the area to see whether any safety improvements can be added.

The 37-year-old man driving the semi stayed at the scene and was expected to be ticketed, police said.