Two people riding motorcycles were killed in a crash Friday night on 27 June on a state highway in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.
The crash happened around 9:50 p.m. on Illinois Route 394 near Dyer Road. Police said two motorcycles were involved in the accident.
One of the riders, 22-year-old Justin Fasnacht from Crown Point, Indiana, was taken to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries, the Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed.
The other rider, 24-year-old Sarah Gudeman, also from northwest Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Sarah (Hyska) Gudeman was a registered nurse and a former college swimmer, a member of the Bethel University swim team from 2019 to 2022.
Investigators said both riders were heading north on Route 394 when Fasnacht crashed into the back of Gudeman’s motorcycle.
Family And Friends Mourn The Loss Of Sarah Hyska Gudeman
Sarah Gudeman’s mother, Courtney Hyska, shared the deep pain of losing her daughter so suddenly.
She described how, just days earlier, Sarah was full of life, married to the love of her life, Kendon, happy in her career as a registered nurse, and looking forward to the future.
Sarah had everything ahead of her, and her family was devastated by the unexpected loss.
Courtney expressed with her husband, Jeff, the heartbreak of losing their only daughter and the overwhelming grief that comes with it.
Amid her sorrow, she urged others to think twice about the dangers of motorcycles, as both Sarah and another rider were killed in the tragic crash.
This was our beautiful daughter on Monday and today she’s gone. Idk what a life looks like without our only daughter. She had her whole life ahead of her – she loved her job, she got married to the love of her life..she had it all. She had a tragic motorcycle accident. Please – if you have a motorcycle get rid of it. Her and another motorcyclist were both killed. We will love you forever Sarah Gudeman
Courtney Hyska
Similarly, Meghan Powell, Sarah Gudeman’s aunt, shared how difficult it has been to find the words to express her grief.
Sarah was more than a niece; she was like a second daughter, growing up just a few doors away and sharing a close bond with Meghan’s children.
Born just five days before Meghan’s youngest, Sarah was the only granddaughter among six grandchildren and proudly held her own among the boys.
She had always loved riding, starting with Power Wheels as a kid, then progressing to dirt bikes, quads, side-by-sides, and eventually motorcycles.
Her sudden passing at 24 has left an overwhelming sense of loss.
Meghan expressed deep sorrow for all the people Sarah left behind: her husband, parents, siblings, grandmother, extended family, and countless friends.
She mourns not just Sarah’s life, but all the moments and milestones that will never come.
Even in her heartbreak, Meghan tries to find peace in knowing that Sarah lived her life fully and passed doing something she loved.
I’ve wanted to post something, but each time I tried it was just too hard. My beautiful niece, Sarah Gudeman, born 5 days before my youngest, who grew up just a few doors down from us, who out of 6 grandkids, was the only granddaughter (but loved being “one of the guys”), who would go from camo and boots to a sundress & sandals (and look stunningly beautiful in each), who recently graduated nursing school and loved being an ER nurse, who was married to the love her life in an absolutely magical wedding about 10 months ago, who loved riding (power wheels to dirt bikes & quads, to side-by sides, and motorcycles), who had the brightest future ahead of her and a million people who loved her, tragically passed away Friday night (at 24 years old). I grieve. I grieve for what could have been. I grieve for the loss her husband, parents, siblings, nana, family, & friends feel, I grieve for the missing “girl” piece In our family. I’m mad that such a bright light could be extinguished so soon. I cling to the brief moment I saw her at the end of her parents’ driveway just recently. I try to find solace in the fact she lived life to its fullest and died doing what brought her joy. I love you, Sarah – ♥️ your Aunt Mimi
Meghan Powell
Rest in Peace, Sarah Gudeman!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In one of her final swim meets, Sarah shared that her last home meet was an emotional and unforgettable night, filled with happiness, laughter, and a few tears.
- One highlight that stood out was Sarah breaking the 50 freestyle record, which she had tied just weeks earlier.
- She expressed her pride and gratitude for the people who had helped her along the way, especially her family and all those who had supported her throughout her swimming years.
