Elk Grove mayor's accident: 'Bike helmet saved my life'

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson believes only his helmet saved his life after he was seriously injured in an accidental collision with a fellow bicyclist Tuesday evening.

"If I had not had a helmet on, I would not be here today - no question," Johnson said Friday morning.

Johnson, a serious cyclist, was training with a pack of about a dozen bicyclists on Cosman Road near Lake Cosman in the village at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when his front tire clipped the back tire of the rider ahead of him.

He was thrown to the ground, striking his head on the pavement first, witnesses later told him.

"I don't remember anything from the time my wheel hit the wheel in front of me until 4 a.m. when I woke up at Lutheran General Hospital," Johnson said.

Tests proved he had no brain injury, though he'd broken four ribs, his collarbone and punctured a lung. The side of his face that hit the pavement is now heavily scabbed, though the other side is fine.

Johnson stayed at the hospital for observation until Thursday night. Doctors have told him his recovery will take about four to six weeks, though the bones won't be at full strength again for about two months.

Johnson said he is likely to be housebound for the Fourth of July weekend, but is hopeful of resuming village business as usual once regular meetings start again in a couple weeks.