The driver of the semi in an accident that killed NIU glassblower Daniel Edwards was cited for failing to yield while turning left.

At 7:42 a.m. Wednesday, Edwards, 60, of Rochelle was traveling eastbound on Highway 38 near the interchange with I-39 when a westbound semi-trailer turned in front of his motorcycle, causing a collided.

Edwards was taken to Rochelle Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Daniel’s wife, Diane Edwards, 58, of Rochelle, was a passenger on the motorcycle and was also taken to Rochelle Community Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to Rockford Memorial Hospital.

The driver of the semi, Gerald Hemker, 51, of Germantown, was not injured in the crash.

Hemker was issued a citation for failing to yield while turning left, according to a Rochelle Police Department press release.

Edwards was best known at NIU for hosting a glassblowing demonstration each fall. He planned on retiring at the end of the semester. Edwards was the 1999 recipient of the Helmut E. Drechsel Achievement Award, given out by the American Glassblowers Society.

“We are very saddened and shocked by the news of Dan’s death this morning,” said Shannon Gates, coordinator for recruitment and public relations of the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, on Wednesday. “He was a great asset to our department, as a talented glassblower and good friend.”

NIU President John Peters expressed his sentiments on NIU’s loss.

“My spouse Barbara and I were deeply saddened to hear of the accident that claimed the life of Dan Edwards and seriously injured his wife Diane,” Peters said. “Our hearts go out to the Edwards family and their many friends and colleagues on campus.”

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