Rusty Rickard Killed In Brown County Motorcycle Accident on 1400E Street

Truck Accident - July 1, 2025

Truck Driver Ticketed For Failing To Yield In Fatal Brown Car Accident That Killed Rusty Rickard of Ripley, Illinois

BROWN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (July 1, 2025) – A man from Ripley, Illinois identified as Rusty Rickard has tragically died in a Brown County motorcycle accident on 1400E Street.

Brown County officials are saying that the accident took place on Saturday just outside of Cooperstown. Rusty Rickard was headed north by the intersection of 1400E St. and County Road 950 N on his motorcycle when he was hit by a truck.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Sadly, Rusty Rickard died due to the severe nature of his injuries.

Authority cited the driver of the truck involved in the crash for failing to yield. A full investigation by the sheriffs department remains ongoing.

Liability for Brown County Motorcycle Accidents

Collisions at intersections remain one of the leading causes of fatal motorcycle accidents. According to the NHTSA, “Motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2023, there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed — 15% of all traffic fatalities. NHTSA data show that this is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since at least 1975.” Several factors may contribute to any collision at intersections.

• Visibility: Car accidents are much more likely to occur during periods of low visibility. This includes the early morning hours and after dusk.
• Inclement Weather: Another major factor that can lead to a collision is poor weather conditions. In particular, drivers are more likely to lose control when roadways are slick with rain or ice.
• Left Turns: One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents at intersections is dangerous left turns. Drivers may simply not check their blind spots before turning into the path of a motorcycle or vehicle.

Every driver has a duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid causing harm to other people on the roadway. This necessitates that they follow all traffic regulations and yield the right-of-way as required. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-904, the driver, a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle at an intersection that is approaching from another roadway and close enough, so as to pose an immediate hazard. If a driver does not properly yield to an oncoming vehicle, they may receive a citation and could face civil liability for the crash.

It is possible that liability for any collision could extend beyond any driver deemed to be at-fault for the collision. This is particularly true if the vehicle involved was being used for commercial purposes. As a general principle, employers in Illinois are considered vicariously liable for the wrongful action of their workers–insofar as those workers were operating within their job duty. This may include situations where workers transport material from one location to the other. It is important that certain steps are taken after any car accident.

• Purpose: If any truck, van, or commercial vehicle was involved, it is important to determine the purpose of the driver’s road trip. Was it business or personal?
• Surveillance: It is important to determine whether or not the accident may have been captured by surveillance footage.
• Medical Records: All medical records related to the collision should be preserved. Injuries sustained as a result of a car accident can help paint a clear picture of what happened, even if there were no witnesses to the collision.
• Investigation: The police should be called to the scene so that they can begin an immediate investigation of what took place. The police will give their initial assessment of who could potentially be liable for the crash.

The vast majority of truck accidents involving motorcycles are preventable. They tend to involved situations where truck drivers are distracted or failing to check their blind spots. Motorcyclists have a naturally small profile. It is therefore imperative that all drivers remain vigilant to avoid any collisions with them. The family of any person who died due to the negligence of a truck driver may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.

Investigating Brown County Motorcycle Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Rusty Rickard. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to law enforcement. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this intersection safer. As cities and counties have continued to grow across Illinois, roadway safety measures have simply not kept pace.

Do you need more information about a Brown County motorcycle accident? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and taking proactive measures to help make our roads safer for motorcyclists and all other drivers. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.