A late-night motorcycle ride near Chicago Rockford International Airport ended in tragedy Friday when a bike went off Kishwaukee Road and into a ditch, killing both people on board.
The Winnebago County Coroner identified the victims as Matthew Foltz, 45, and Shelley Cain, 58, both of Rockford. Emergency crews pronounced them dead at the scene, and the crash remains under investigation.
Investigators said the single-bike wreck happened around 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. when the motorcycle left the roadway and went into a ditch, according to Q98.5. Autopsy results from the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office listed blunt-trauma injuries as the cause of death. Media accounts differ slightly on the exact block: one cites the 5900 block of Kishwaukee, while a police release references the 5800 block, and officials have not publicly reconciled that discrepancy.
What investigators say
Rockford police say Foltz was operating the motorcycle with Cain as a passenger when the bike left the roadway, according to an initial report shared with 13 WREX. Authorities have not released information about possible contributing factors such as speed, impairment, or the condition of the motorcycle while they continue evidence collection and witness interviews.
Investigation and tips
The Rockford Police Department and the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office are leading the investigation and have asked anyone who saw the crash or who may have video to contact detectives. The department’s public contact page includes the non-emergency number and tip options; the City of Rockford lists 815-966-2900 as the non-emergency line along with details for anonymous tips.
Local context
This is at least the second fatal motorcycle crash reported in Rockford in recent months, with WIFR noting another deadly motorcycle collision in May. It is a grim reminder of the risks riders face on Stateline roads, especially during late-night trips and on rural stretches near major routes.
We will update this story as authorities release more information. Original reporting on the crash appeared in 13 WREX, with follow-up coverage from other local outlets.
