The Southern

PICKNEYVILLE - A motorcyclist and his passenger suffered major injuries a few minutes before 5 p.m. Saturday at the Intersection of Illinois 13/127 and Cottontail Road in Perry County about a mile south of Pinckneyville.

Illinois State Police said Lawrence Thompson, 68, of Pinckneyville was eastbound on Cottontail Road and came to a stop at the highway.

Thompson saw several southbound motorcycles pass, but he reported he did not see the southbound cycle driven by Randall Steinmetz, 30, of Harrisburg.

Police said Thompson pulled out in his 2004 Ford Ranger, and Steinmetz tried to lay down his 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle to avoid striking the Ford.

However, Steinmetz and his passenger - Jessica Cantrell, 24, of Galatia - were thrown from the cycle. Both were taken to Pinckneyville Community Hospital, police said.

Police said Thompson was cited on a charge of failure to yield to oncoming traffic. He was not injured.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene, according to police.

About 1,400 people were registered to participate Saturday in the Run for the Fund, a motorcycle ride to raise funds for the Coach Kill Cancer Fund, which concluded in the evening at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Police did not indicate if Steinmetz and Cantrell were taking part in the charity ride.