Driver painting nails runs red light, kills cyclist: cops


LAKE ZURICH | Woman issued traffic citation, charges expected


May 4, 2009

A motorcyclist died Saturday near far northwest suburban Lake Zurich after being hit by a female motorist who allegedly drove through a red light while painting her fingernails, authorities said.

Anita Zaffke, 56, of the 1500 block of Eddy Lane in Lake Zurich, died after suffering apparent chest and abdominal injuries from being thrown 200 feet from her bike about 5:30 p.m. at U.S. 12 at Old McHenry Rd., said Lake County's coroner, Dr. Richard Keller.

Zaffke was stopped at a red light when a Chevy Impala, driven by a woman in her 40s, struck her from behind, said Lake County sheriff's police Sgt. Scott Morrison. Zaffke was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, officials said.

Keller said the motorist told police she was painting her fingernails at the time of the crash and did not notice the light was red.

The woman, whom police did not identify Sunday night, was cited with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, Morrison said. She also was hospitalized after the crash for non-life-threatening injuries.

"The investigation is ongoing, but there should be charges against the woman in the very near future," Morrison said.

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