Motorcyclist killed Sunday after clipping semi-truck in Lake Forest

A Beach Park man was killed Sunday in Lake Forest when the motorcycle he was driving struck the rear of a semitrailer truck while illegally attempting to pass, authorities said.

Witnesses reported the motorcyclist was speeding on northbound Route 41 at about 4 p.m. when he attempted an illegal "lane-splitting" maneuver to try and pass the truck and another vehicle near Westleigh Road. The motorcycle collided with the trailer of the semi, police said, throwing the driver from the bike.

The driver, identified Monday as Hector Gomez, 46, of Beach Park, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary results of an autopsy Monday indicate that he died from blunt force injuries suffered in the crash, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

No other injuries were reported and the crash remains under investigation.

Roads were closed for several hours while investigators processed the crash site, but reopened Sunday night.