Illinois Man Killed by E-Bike Days After Warning His Wife: “They’re Going to Kill Me”
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — A 49-year-old man was struck and killed by an e-bike while walking to his job at Illinois State University, just days after he eerily warned his wife, “They’re going to kill me.” The victim, Adam Peck, died on September 30, 2022, four days after the collision, according to Derbyshire Live and Mirror US.
A Tragic and Foreseen Collision
Peck was hit by an e-bike traveling at up to 22 mph on a pavement where riding is illegal in Illinois. He was rushed to Carle BroMenn Medical Center, where he underwent multiple surgeries, but succumbed to his injuries days later.
“This bike did not go more than 22 mph, and Adam did not survive it,” his wife, Michele Peck, said. “You wouldn’t think a bike would kill you, but it does.”
In the week before the crash, Peck had already experienced two close calls with e-bikes in the same area and had expressed fear that one might take his life.
Widow Pushes for Stricter E-Bike Regulations
Michele, 48, has since launched a campaign urging lawmakers to toughen e-bike laws in Illinois, saying current regulations fail to protect pedestrians.
“I think they need to be regulated in a way that identifies them as vehicles. They need to follow the rules of the road,” she argued.
At the time of Adam’s death, Illinois only classified e-bikes exceeding 28 mph as motor vehicles. This left his family without access to accidental death insurance, since the e-bike involved was legally considered a bicycle.
Legislative Changes But Ongoing Concerns
As of August 1, 2025, Illinois expanded its definition of bicycles to include e-bikes capable of speeds up to 30 mph. Yet Michele believes the update falls short.
“I think this new law is super dangerous because you can kill somebody going at 20 mph,” she said. “Calling them bicycles only diminishes protections for pedestrians and increases protections for insurance companies.”
She also highlighted safety challenges for inexperienced riders:
“People who are used to operating a bicycle jump on an e-bike and don’t realize their braking distance has to expand because they’re moving faster on a heavier vehicle.”
Community and Family Impact
Michele described the devastating moment she received the call from police while driving her daughter to a therapy appointment. By the time she reached the hospital, Adam was already unconscious.
“I squeezed his hand and told him I was there,” she recalled. “We had a very rich and full life. But we were about to enter that chapter as empty nesters where we could be together again, and we kind of missed all that.”
Adam’s organs were donated after he was declared brain dead, a decision Michele said brought some meaning amid the tragedy.
The case has intensified calls for a national debate on e-bike regulation and pedestrian safety. For more Illinois news and community updates, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.