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[deaf1]

Coroner: Driver painting nails kills biker

A motorcyclist was killed Saturday night when a driver, distracted while painting her fingernails, slammed into her at a traffic light near northwest suburban Lake Zurich, authorities said today.

Anita Zaffke, of the 1500 block of Eddy Lane in Lake Zurich, stopped at a yellow light around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Route 12 and Old McHenry Road, but the Chevrolet Impala behind her did not, said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller.

Zaffke, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown about 200 feet from her bike, according to Keller, who added that she died from chest and abdominal injuries about an hour later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Scott Morrison said the Impala's driver was cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and could face additional charges. He did not have her name.

Keller said the driver told authorities she was painting her fingernails before the impact. Morrison said he could not comment on that aspect of the ongoing investigation.

"It appears to be a tragic accident and it appears she did nothing wrong," Morrison said, referring to Zaffke. "She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and she could not have done anything to avoid it."

[BayouBiker]

dumb MF'n cage driver!!

[Screamin]

Besides deer my biggest fear is the dumb azz behind me. This sux so bad.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Coroner: Driver painting nails kills biker

A motorcyclist was killed Saturday night when a driver, distracted while painting her fingernails, slammed into her at a traffic light near northwest suburban Lake Zurich, authorities said today.

Anita Zaffke, of the 1500 block of Eddy Lane in Lake Zurich, stopped at a yellow light around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Route 12 and Old McHenry Road, but the Chevrolet Impala behind her did not, said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller.

Zaffke, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown about 200 feet from her bike, according to Keller, who added that she died from chest and abdominal injuries about an hour later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Scott Morrison said the Impala's driver was cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and could face additional charges. He did not have her name.

Keller said the driver told authorities she was painting her fingernails before the impact. Morrison said he could not comment on that aspect of the ongoing investigation.

"It appears to be a tragic accident and it appears she did nothing wrong," Morrison said, referring to Zaffke. "She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and she could not have done anything to avoid it."

Manslaughter at the very least is what she should be chared with or Neglagent Homicide.

[skreminegul07]

Coroner: Driver painting nails kills biker

A motorcyclist was killed Saturday night when a driver, distracted while painting her fingernails, slammed into her at a traffic light near northwest suburban Lake Zurich, authorities said today.

Anita Zaffke, of the 1500 block of Eddy Lane in Lake Zurich, stopped at a yellow light around 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Route 12 and Old McHenry Road, but the Chevrolet Impala behind her did not, said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller.

Zaffke, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown about 200 feet from her bike, according to Keller, who added that she died from chest and abdominal injuries about an hour later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Scott Morrison said the Impala's driver was cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and could face additional charges. He did not have her name.

Keller said the driver told authorities she was painting her fingernails before the impact. Morrison said he could not comment on that aspect of the ongoing investigation.

"It appears to be a tragic accident and it appears she did nothing wrong," Morrison said, referring to Zaffke. "She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and she could not have done anything to avoid it."

That would mean to me to join an already existent accident, like a multi car pile up. .  This s-hole caused the accident.

[kansaskim47]

 

I fail to see how a stupid idiot action can be classified as an "accident".

[Screamin]

You're right on K K. Doing stupid chit ain't accidental.

[grc]

I don't know about anyone else, but what happened there doesn't come close to fitting my definition of an accident.  It comes much closer to the definition of negligent homicide, and I damn well hope the prosecutor has the balls to charge her with it.

BTW, anyone stupid enough to drive down the highway painting their nails (or texting, or applying makeup, or any of the other really stupid things I see all the time), and then admitting it to the cops rather than shut their yap, is obviously too stupid to be allowed to ride in a car, much less drive.  Anyone want to bet, however, that at the end of this she will get a slap on the wrist and won't even lose her license?

Jerry

[deaf1]

She has admitted to being distracted to painting her nails.  Currently she only has been charged with a moving violation,  but she has hired one of the top defense lawyers in illinois.  They said on the news tonight that they may be looking to file criminal charges soon..

Her poor son was on TV tonight,  and he is wearing black nail polish to protest this whole thing...  I saw pictures of the bike,  and it wasnt too bad,  but the force threw her 200+ feet.  she was wearing a helmet....  She was quite a experienced rider as well...

I pass thru that intersection many times on weekends. 

I am seriously thinking of trying to form protests,  but I just dont know how to organize this....

http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Charges-mulled-in-nail-polish-motorcycle=1&blockID=282414&feedID=209

I am just coming off a accident last year where we were t-boned by a woman on the phone... she got a slap on the wrist....

[MUFFMAN]

Always worried when sitting at a red light on a bike, or a car for that matter. So many people are doing so many other things while driving rather than concentrating on the road. Scarcy chit.

[mrmagloo]

Yes, this happened very close to home as a matter of fact, I just went through that intersection earlier that day. Very sad situation.

I doubt the Patriot Guard gets involved with anything like this, but I'm wondering if any locals might want to get together and pay tribute for our fallen friend?

[JCZ]

She has admitted to being distracted to painting her nails.  Currently she only has been charged with a moving violation,  but she has hired one of the top defense lawyers in illinois.  They said on the news tonight that they may be looking to file criminal charges soon..

Her poor son was on TV tonight,  and he is wearing black nail polish to protest this whole thing...  I saw pictures of the bike,  and it wasnt too bad,  but the force threw her 200+ feet.  she was wearing a helmet....  She was quite a experienced rider as well...

I pass thru that intersection many times on weekends. 

I am seriously thinking of trying to form protests,  but I just dont know how to organize this....

http://www.wgntv.com/landing/?Charges-mulled-in-nail-polish-motorcycle=1&blockID=282414&feedID=209

I am just coming off a accident last year where we were t-boned by a woman on the phone... she got a slap on the wrist....

Contact your local ABATE Local and any other MRO (motorcycle rights organization) that you have in that state.  Call anybody you know who rides, contact independant shops (dealerships will not help), stores like Renagade, etc.  Do it right away......even if it's only a few.  Make some posters and decide what government agency that you're going to protest in front of, then call the local news stations, radio, etc. and let them know that we're fed up with this lack of real and serious consequence.  The media will be there, just because it's new to them.  Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I've had two friends killed (seperate situations) sitting at stop lights and another that was injured.  Approaching an intersection is not the time to be doing make-up, fingernails, chasing CDs, or what ever else that takes your attention from the road for even a split second.

[deaf1]

Are there others in the Chgoland area that are on this board that may help?

Will the mods allow me to post a request in the general forum?

[CVOJOE]

Manslaughter at the very least is what she should be charged with or Negligent Homicide

Damn sure hard to see this as a simple accident, she was negligent as hell and caused a death. That doesn't exactly rate a fix it ticket!    :

Joe

[deaf1]

Here is a update article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0506edit2may06,0,5172713.story

and a letter from the victims son:

uneral Services for Anita Zaffke in IL (May 7 &
« on: Today at 12:15:01 am »

My mother, Anita Zaffke, was killed Saturday May 2, 2009 at 5:45PM just north of Lake Zurich, IL. She was stopped at a red light and was hit by Lora L. Hunt of Morris, IL who admitted to the police that she was painting her nails and didn't see my mom until after the collision. My mother was killed by someone else's reckless vanity. We need full prosecution for this offense. We need stricter reckless vehicular homicide legislation. Too many drivers are multi-tasking. Too many are oblivious to their reckless decisions. Too many good people are dying.

Our family would be truly honored if any of my mom's fellow riders would like to attend her funeral services and show support for motorcycle safety and awareness.

Ahlgrims Funeral Home (Lake Zurich, IL)
Visitation (wake) - Thursday 5/7 between 3pm & 9pm
Funeral Service - Friday 5/8 @ 10am

If you cannot attend but would like to support our cause. Please write or call the Lake County States Attorney, your local & state Representatives & Senators to express your disgust over the current state of affairs.

Greg Zaffke II