Aurora motorcyclist killed in crash with semi

A 22-year-old motorcyclist was killed Tuesday evening when his bike crashed into a semi truck in west suburban Aurora.

The 2004 Kawasaki motorcycle was heading eastbound in the 1400 block of Sequoia Drive about 6:35 p.m. when it collided with the semi, according to Aurora police spokesman Dan Ferrelli. The semi was also driving eastbound, and was making a left turn into the driveway of the business at the time of the crash.

The motorcyclist, identified as Christopher A. Gonzalez, hit the side of the semi tractor, Ferrelli said. He was wearing a helmet but suffered massive head injuries. Gonzalez, of the 1500 block of Lincolnshire Avenue in Aurora, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A preliminary investigation found that Gonzalez was traveling at a high rate of speed and tried to stop before hitting the side of the truck, according to police. The driver of the semi, a 41-year-old Geneva man, was not ticketed.

Sequoia Drive was closed between Edgelawn Drive and Randall Road for about four hours after the crash, police said.

Illinois State Police are assisting Aurora police with the investigation.