Dennis Lewis Jr Killed In Libertyville Dump Truck Accident By Route 176 and Bradley Road

Truck Accident - July 22, 2025

Harley Davidson Rider Dennis Lewis Jr Had Green Light Before Being Hit by Dump Truck in Green Oaks Near Libertyville —> GoFundMe Created To Help Victim’s Family

LIBERTYVILLE, ILLINOIS (July 20, 2025) – A 35-year-old man identified as Dennis Lewis Jr., from Round Lake Beach, tragically died in a Green Oaks dump truck accident near Libertyville.

Lake County officials are saying that the collision took place around 2:35 p.m. on Friday. Dennis Lewis Jr. was heading through the intersection of Route 176 and Bradley Road on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

At the same time, a dump truck made a left turn into the path of the motorcyclist and collided with him. The force of the impact caused the motorcyclist to be ejected and thrown into the road.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Sadly, Dennis Lewis Jr. was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash happened in front of the Lake Shore Harley-Davidson dealership. It remains unclear if the dump truck driver will face any citations as a result of the fatal collision.

A GoFundMe has been created to help support the victim’s family. According to the online fundraiser, “On July 18, 2025, our beloved Dennis, a devoted father, son, partner, uncle and cousin tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident on Route 176 near Libertyville. Just three days before the crash, he welcomed his beautiful baby girl into the world.”

Liability for Lake County Dump Truck Accidents

Dump trucks can be particularly dangerous to pedestrians, motorcyclists, and those in passenger vehicles. They are substantially heavier than passenger vehicles and more difficult to maneuver safely. According to the Engineering News Record, “Dump truck accidents severe enough that the vehicle had to be towed away rose 9%, hitting 8,206 in 2016, the latest year statistics are available.” Trucking companies should take numerous actions to help prevent accidents with their vehicles.

• Driver Hiring: Truck companies should ensure that all of their drivers have the proper commercial license and a clean driving record.
• Medical Screenings: Truck companies should ensure that their drivers undergo periodic medical screenings.
• Maintenance: Truck companies should ensure that all of their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.
• Compliance: Truck companies should comply with all compliance and record-keeping standards. In particular, truck drivers must be allowed to take periodic rest breaks.

Operating a commercial truck can be difficult and dangerous in the best of circumstances. These drivers are expected to operate their vehicles with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. Despite this, many truck accidents are caused by truck drivers that make dangerous turns. Pursuant to Illinois Statutes Chapter 625. Vehicles § 5/11-90, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left must first yield the right-of-way to any vehicle traveling from the opposite direction that is close enough to pose a hazard. If a truck driver makes a left turn into the path of another vehicle, they could be held liable through a civil claim.

Liability for any truck accident could extend beyond a driver that is deemed to be at fault. In Illinois, employers can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. Vicarious liability will typically apply if a commercial vehicle like a dump truck was being used for business purposes at the time of a collision. This may include instances where a truck was being used to haul goods or materials from one location to another. It is essential that evidence be properly preserved after any dump truck collision.

• Event Data Recorder: Many trucks have event data recorders (EDRs). These devices contain critical information about what was happening with a truck immediately prior to a collision.
• Police Report: The police report for any accident is another important piece of evidence. These reports tend to be fairly reliable, but it is still common for them to contain mistakes.
• Surveillance Footage: If a truck accident occurs at an intersection, there is a good chance that it will be captured by traffic cameras. Even if there aren’t any traffic cameras, many businesses have surveillance cameras that may have captured a collision.

Truck accidents tend to be complex events. The factors that contribute to any truck accident could take place hours, days, or weeks beforehand. One of the major causes of truck accidents is driver inexperience. Another major factor is driver fatigue. These drivers are often pushed to work long shifts at odd hours. In fact, one out of ten truck drivers involved in a fatal collision have reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. The family of any person who died in a truck collision is able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Lake County Dump Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dennis Lewis Jr. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person that may have more information should reach out to the authorities. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the safety record of the dump truck driver? Did they have any logbook or hours-of-service violations?

Do you need more information about a Libertyville dump truck accident? Our team of roadway safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to providing accident victims with clear information and sound advice. 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.