Police: Helmet, leather helped save biker's life

A motorcyclist airlifted from the scene of a crash in Hampshire late Wednesday afternoon is expected to survive, police said Thursday.

That's due in part to his wardrobe, as the man's helmet and heavy leather gear helped cushion his fall, said Lt. Patrick Gengler of the Kane County Sheriff's Department.

“It's a fashion statement for some of them, but it actually helps them out,” Gengler said of the leather clothes. “That made a huge difference in his safety.”

Jamie Cortes of the 1500 block of Goldenrod Terrace in Round Lake Beach was driving a Suzuki GSXR north on French Road, a two-lane road, about a block south of Lenschow Road when he tried to pass a number of vehicles in the southbound lane, Gengler said.

As Cortes man was driving in the southbound lane about 4:35 p.m., a 2001 Dodge Ram in the northbound lane attempted to make a left turn into a driveway. Cortes struck the driver's-side door of the truck and was thrown from the motorcycle, Gengler said.

Cortes was flown from the scene by Flight for Life to St. Anthony's Medical Center in Rockford with serious but what police say are nonlife-threatening injuries, Gengler said.

No tickets have been issued, police said.

The driver and passenger of the truck were not injured.

Daily Herald staff writer Lenore T. Adkins contributed to this report