Illinois man on bike killed after being rear-ended by car

by Dave Keiser

Rural Montgomery County, IL (KSDK)--  Illinois State Police investigators say a man riding his bicycle along West Frontage and Virden roads, near his home was killed Thursday evening after a car struck the back of the victims bike.

Officials say 60 year old Stephen Knipp lives on the road where he died, after being thrown from his bike and into a fence by the impact of the collision.  He was pronounced dead a short time later despite valiant efforts of a passerby who stopped to provide C-P-R before paramedics arrived.

State police say the driver of the car; identified as 23 year old Shane Neighbors of Girard, was northbound on the road which parallels Interstate-55 north of Farmersville near the Montgomery-Sangamon county line around 8:30 Thurday night.

Evidence shows the car struck the back of the victims bike before the vehicle veered off the left side of the road into a ravine and drainage ditch and coming to stop deep into a cornfield.

Authorities say alcohol does not appear to have been a factor in the crash and any potential charges won't be considered until the probe concludes.