2nd Man Dies After 8 Motorcycles Crash Near Joliet

JOLIET, IL — The Illinois State Police on Sunday announced that 57-year-old John Melvin II of Du Quoin has died following Saturday morning's collision involving eight motorcycles.

The group was westbound on Interstate 80 near Joliet when the crash occurred. Edwin Torres, 45, of Chicago was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police also provided updates on the six other injured motorists:

• A 45-year-old man from Palatine was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• A 53-year-old Morris man was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• A 50-year-old Carterville man was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
• A 58-year-old Bartlett man was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• A 41-year-old Bloomington man was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
• A 51-year-old Kenosha, Wisconsin, man was taken to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the eight motorcycles got into a chain-reaction crash along Interstate 80 approaching Interstate 55 around 10:15 a.m..

State police said a preliminary investigation indicated all eight motorcycles were part a larger group of motorcycles westbound on Interstate 80 west of milepost 126.5 near Interstate 55.

One of the motorcycles crashed, causing a chain reaction involving all eight, police said. It is unknown at this time the cause of the crash, police said.

Related Joliet Patch coverage: Joliet's Deadliest Month For Traffic Crashes In 5 Years