Thomas Ripley Killed In St Clair County Tow Truck Accident on Collinsville Road

Truck Accident - June 22, 2025

Thomas Ripley, 22, of Fairmont City, Died in St. Clair County Bicycle Accident With Tow Truck Near Illinois 203

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS (June 21, 2025) – A 22-year-old bicyclist identified as Thomas Ripley has tragically died in a St. Clair County tow truck collision on Collinsville Road.

St. Clair County officials are saying that the accident occurred around 1:35 a.m. Friday. Thomas Ripley was on a bicycle traveling west in the lane of Collinsville Road when he was hit by a tow truck traveling in the same direction.

Paramedics were called to the scene to help the victim. Sadly, Thomas Ripley was pronounced dead at the scene.

The roadway was closed for some time as the Illinois State Police conducted their investigation. It remains unclear if the driver of the tow truck will face any citations for the collision.

Liability for St. Clair County Tow Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks can be particularly dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, “There were 11,922 crashes involving tractor-trailers in Illinois in 2022. Tractor-trailer crashes account for 4% of total crashes. Fatalities resulting from tractor-trailer crashes increased by 31.4% from 2021 to 2022. The number of fatal crashes also increased by 34%.” There were 155 fatalities associated with semi-trucks across Illinois in 2022. These accidents resulted in an additional 2,022 injuries. Truck drivers should take many different actions to prevent accidents.

• Truck drivers should take periodic breaks throughout the day as required by law.
• Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
• Truck drivers should ensure that their vehicles are routinely inspected and properly maintained.

All truck drivers have a legal obligation to use caution to prevent their vehicle from colliding with any pedestrian or cyclist in the roadway. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, every driver must exercise due care to avoid hitting any cyclist that they encounter in the roadway. To that end, they must use their horn when necessary to alert others of their presence. They should be particularly cautious around any person who appears to be incapacitated or confused. If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting any pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

It is possible that liability for a tow truck collision could extend beyond the driver deemed to be at fault. Employers are considered vicariously liable when one of their workers acts negligently. This is typically the case–insofar as the negligent driver was operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This could include situations where a tow truck driver was transporting a vehicle or on their way to transport a vehicle. Many different traffic infractions could contribute to a bicycle accident.

• A driver may have failed to maintain three feet of separation from a bicyclist in their bicycle lane.
• A driver may have failed to check their blind spots before changing lanes or making a turn.
• A driver may have been under the influence of medications that could have impaired their judgment.

Fatigue and stress tend to play a crucial role in truck accidents. It is fairly common for companies to push their drivers to complete routes on unrealistic delivery timelines. In fact, 1 in 10 truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. Sadly, these same employers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if their driver hits someone. This is why it is so critical that all truck accidents are properly investigated by an outside party.

Investigating St. Clair County Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Ripley. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the Illinois State Police. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. What is the safety record of the tow truck driver involved in this collision? Is there a history of bicycle collisions along Collinsville Road?

Do you need more information about a St. Clair County truck accident? Our team of bicycle 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 steps to make our roads safer for all bicyclists and pedestrians. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.