RICHLAND COUNTY, IL — A crash Monday morning between a motorcycle and semi in Richland County sent the two Clay County residents on the motorcycle to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. According to Illinois State police, around 10:37 Monday morning, 35-year-old Caleb Cochran of Clay City was eastbound behind a semi on U.S. 50 near Richland County Road 300 E.

As the semi’s driver, 35-year-old Christopher McCarty, of Rinard, signaled he was going to make a right turn, he also began to slow, and moved into the westbound lane. At that time, Cochran reportedly attempted to pass McCarty on the right side and the motorcycle struck the center of the passenger side of the semi. Both Cochran and his 41-year-old passenger Jaime Wilkin, also of Clay City, were airlifted to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Cochran was cited for improper passing, operating a vehicle without insurance, driving with an expired registration and improper use of registration.