Details Emerge in Barbie Eno Case

Stock Image of Kenworth W900 Cement Truck

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of 28-year old Barbie Eno of the Portage Park neighborhood. According to the report, based on the position of the Kenworth W900 truck and Barbie Eno's bicycle after the collision, both vehicles were traveling northbound on Cicero Avenue towards Belmont Avenue. Other reports indicated that the Kenworth W900 truck was a "concrete truck," meaning that the truck was pulling a concrete mixer as opposed to a trailer.

Northbound Cicero Avenue at Belmont Avenue

The Sun-Times article further indicates that the driver of the truck did not see the bicyclist prior to impact and only stopped when he noticed people waiving at him. A driver of a tractor truck like the Kenworth W900 is required to adhere to all of the applicable rules of the road, such as the Chicago Municipal Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code, and also to Federal requirements. These requirements provide that 1) the driver of a cement truck like this should "keep a proper lookout" for bicycles but 2) to not turn right until it is safe to do so. It is axiomatic that if a vehicle is "clear" to turn, that a bicycle crash cannot occur.

Here are some of the key laws that apply to a bicycle crash of this nature:

• 49 C.F.R. Section 383.111 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires a professional driver to recognize and avoid potential hazards at all times around a turning tractor truck. 
•  Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states that every driver of a vehicle must 1) always exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists, and 2) sound their horn to provide warning of an impending impact.
• Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically provides that a motor vehicle should not turn right across the path of a bicyclist traveling in the same direction until it is "clear" and safe to make the turn. This is known as a "right hook."

DNAInfo Chicago provided a very thoughtful article on Barbie Eno that also contains service information.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Barbie Eno's family and friends. God bless all of you at this difficult time.

Bicyclist Tragically Killed by Turning Truck Identified as Portage Park Native Barbie Eno

Northbound Cicero Avenue approaching Belmont Avenue in Chicago, IL.

On Thursday morning 28-year old Barbie Eno was riding her bicycle on northbound Cicero Avenue on her way back from the Secretary of State's Office where she was issued a new I.D. card. As she was riding along Cicero Avenue towards Belmont Avenue a cement truck was also driving northbound. As both the bicycle and the cement truck approached Belmont, the cement truck turned right onto Belmont Avenue and came across the bicyclist's path and into contact with Barbie on her bicycle. As a result of this collision, Barbie sustained multiple injuries that claimed her life.

DNAInfo Chicago has published an excellent article about Barbie Eno. In a tragic twist of irony, this bicycle accident took place just feet from the apartment in Portage Park where Barbie lived as a child. Barbie lived nearby on Addison Street near its intersection with Cicero Avenue and was known for her colorful tattoos, love of her cats, her devotion to her sister's three children, and her joy riding her bike. The article quotes Barbie's sister, Chrissy, as saying that she loved to ride her bike and rode it everywhere in the city.

Details regarding the Chicago Police Department's investigation into this matter remain unclear. Nonetheless, based on the positions of the cement truck and the bicycle prior to the collision, and the report that the truck was turning right onto Belmont, it would appear that this collision is what is known as a "right hook" bicycle crash. A "right hook" crash occurs when a turning vehicle travels directly across the path of a bicyclist and causes a collision between the turning motor vehicle and the bicycle.

Chicago law explicitly prohibits "right hooks" by turning vehicles. Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically addresses "right hooks." The ordinance states:

“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.” 

Tragically, Chicago has lost another bicyclist due to a collision with a motor vehicle. As a result, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a friend to many is lost. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barbie Eno's family and friends. 

Chicago Bicyclist Killed in "Right Hook" Crash with Truck on Northwest Side

Intersection of North Cicero Avenue approaching Belmont Avenue where a 28-year old Chicago bicyclist was killed in a collision with a truck on Thursday morning.

 A 28-year old Chicago bicyclist was killed after a industrial truck "clipped" her bicycle while she was riding north on Cicero Avenue near Belmont Avenue. The bicyclist has been identified as 28-year old Barbara Eno who lived on Addison Street not far from the site of the collision. According to reports the truck, described as a large semi-tractor trailer or dump truck, was also traveling northbound on Cicero and was attempting to turn east onto Belmont when the truck came into contact with the bicyclist and she was severely injured. The bicyclist was taken by ambulance where she was pronounced dead at 11:31 a.m. Thursday morning.

As of the time of the publishing of the DNAInfo article, no tickets had been issued to the driver and the article suggests that an investigation was ongoing. However, based on the information from the report the collision occurred when the bicyclist was riding to the right of the truck and was struck by the truck as the driver turned to the right across the path of the oncoming bicyclist. This type of collision is known as a “right hook” bicycle accident.

Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically prohibits right turns in front of bicycles. The ordinance states:

“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.” 

Given that this was a fatal accident, Chicago Police Department policy is that the Major Accidents Investigation Unit are to conduct a full investigation. More information and details are certain to emerge soon. In the meantime, the family of Barbara Eno have lost a young lady in the prime of her youth. This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.