Motorcyclist known as ‘biggest teddy bear’ dies after St. Clair County crash
%20(1).jpg "A 49-year-old Lenzburg man died after a van collided with his motorcycle.")
A Lenzburg family is planning the funeral of a 49-year-old man who died after his motorcycle collided with a van on Illinois 159 near Fairview Heights.
Kenneth J. Jordan was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle south on Illinois 159 when the driver of a Nissan van failed to yield and entered an intersection in front of Jordan at about 2:38 p.m. Saturday, according to preliminary information released Tuesday by the Illinois State Police.
The Harley-Davidson collided with the rear passenger side of the van and both riders of the motorcycle were ejected and seriously injured, police said.
The northbound van was attempting to turn left onto East O’Fallon Drive, which is known as Milburn School Road on the east side of Illinois 159.
Police said Jordan was riding with a passenger. A GoFundMe post identified the passenger as Jordan’s wife, Felicia, and said the couple was driving home from a celebration of life ceremony for her brother.
The St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office reported that Kenneth Jordan died at 3:27 p.m. Saturday at St. Louis University Hospital. His wife remained hospitalized, according to the GoFundMe posting.
Illinois State Police did not release the name of the van driver, who was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
Debris from the crash between the van and the motorcycle hit a Jeep Wrangler and a Nissan Sentra but the drivers and passengers in those vehicles were not injured.
No other information about the crash was released by the police.
Funeral services are pending for Jordan and Kalmer Memorial Services in Lebanon is handling arrangements.
Memories of ‘Big Kenny’
The GoFundMe page was organized to raise funds to help the Jordan family.
The post states Jordan was known as “Big Kenny” and that he had “helped hundreds of homeless people” in St. Louis by bringing them clothes, shoes and blankets.
Jordan was described as the “Biggest loveable teddy bear you will ever know!” and as “A man who will sacrifice anything to give to someone who has nothing. A man who would give you his last dollar.”
This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 5:49 PM.
