Arlington Heights man killed in motorcycle crash

An Arlington Heights father of four was killed Sunday in a motorcycle crash near Willow Springs.

Joseph Ketza, 49, was riding his 2007 Suzuki south on Archer Avenue near 95th Street about 2 p.m. when he collided with a 1999 Chevy Express van that had made a U-turn in front him, said Cook County sheriff's spokeswoman Penny Mateck.

Mateck said the van was parked on the side of the road on Archer when the driver, Chicago's Joseph Delgado, made a U-turn to head north.

Ketza hit the back of the van, lost control and skidded along the pavement, Mateck said.

Ketza was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead about 3:25 p.m.

Ketza's family members were in shock Monday.

"We all lost somebody that is very dear to our hearts," said Pam Ketza, Joseph's ex-wife.

Pam Ketza said the two were married for 27 years before recently divorcing. They had four kids between the ages of 25 and 16.

"He loved his children and his children loved him back," Pam Ketza said.

Joseph Ketza grew up in Bolingbrook and graduated from Bolingbrook High School, his ex-wife said.

The two raised there family over the past two decades in the Bridgeview neighborhood. Pam Ketza said Joseph moved to Arlington Heights just recently.

Pam Ketza said her former husband liked music and playing poker and had a great sense of humor.

Mateck said Delgado, 55, of 6022 Keeler Ave., was charged with one count of failure to yield and one count of an improper U-turn. He was released on $100 and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 28.