Motorcyclist fatally struck by car; cops say other driver painting nails

As she rode her motorcycle in the Lake Zurich area Saturday afternoon, Anita Zaffke stopped for a yellow light.

The motorist behind her didn't, police said, because she was painting her fingernails.

Zaffke, 56, of Lake Zurich, suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a car about 5:30 p.m., Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.

The accident happened on the southbound side of Rand Road after Zaffke stopped her 2007 Honda Shadow for the light at Old McHenry Road, Lake County sheriff's police said.

Lora L. Hunt, 48, of Morris, also was headed south and crashed into Zaffke, police said.

Hunt told police she was painting her nails as she drove and didn't see Zaffke until after the crash, police reports indicate.

Lake County Sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Christopher Thompson confirmed Hunt was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Additional charges are possible.

Zaffke and her motorcycle were pushed forward a few hundred feet by the force of the crash, Keller said.

Hunt and other people stopped to help Zaffke, but she could not be saved. She was pronounced dead about 6:30 p.m. at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barrington.

Zaffke had been wearing a helmet and likely died of chest and abdominal injuries, Keller said. An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted today.