Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
A 27-year-old woman from West Pullman has been arrested and charged in a fatal hit-and-run crash that left a 77-year-old man dead. The woman appeared in court on Wednesday where the judge ordered that she be held on $250,000 bail.
The incident occurred on July 17, 2013 around 7:00 a.m. The prosecutor in the case alleges that the victim was crossing in the 8300 block of South Racine on foot when the defendant approached him in a black Mercedes, traveling northbound. The woman struck the victim with her car and fled the scene without stopping to check on the man’s condition or without speaking to police.
There were witnesses to the collision who notified the authorities. When paramedics responded, the male victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. Meanwhile, local police interviewed several suspects who had a description of the responsible vehicle. The officers also obtained security footage from an area establishment that reportedly caught the collision on film, including the car striking the victim and then fleeing the scene. According to authorities, two eye witnesses have identified the defendant as the woman that was driving the Mercedes at the time of the crash.
With the information gathered from their investigation, police arrested the 27-year-old woman on Monday in her home. She reportedly works in medical billing, is a mother to an 11-year-old son, and is studying to be an x-ray technician.
It is not clear exactly what charges the woman is facing in connection with the crash, but under Illinois law, it is a felony to leave the scene of an accident that results in death or serious bodily injury to another. Therefore, this woman could be facing the possibility of extended jail time as well as becoming a convicted felon if the alleged facts against her are proved at trial.
If the potentially serious criminal and traffic offenses faced are not enough, this woman may also face a civil claim brought by the surviving family members of the victim on his behalf. This type of civil claim, often referred to as a wrongful death suit, may allow a victim’s family to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one.
When the negligence of a driver takes a loved one away from his or her family, there is nothing that can fill the void left by that loved one’s absence. The last thing family members should have to worry about is how they will pay the bills, including any medical expenses that the loved one incurred before death, while they are trying to move forward. That is one thing a civil claim can do for a family. A monetary settlement may make it possible to continue living life without the threat of financial ruin.
If your loved one has been injured or killed in an accident, call the Chicago hit and run injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a no obligation telephone consultation. We only represent victims and their families and we are dedicated to each of our clients. There is never a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf and we are standing by now to take your call, so please call us at (312) 924-7575 now and let us help you on your path to recovery.
Prior Blog Entries:
Driver Runs Stop Sign, Injures 4 Before Fleeing the Scene, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published July 29, 2013.
Crash Near Joliet Leaves 1 Man Dead, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published July 26, 2013.
Resources:
Woman held on $250K for South Side fatal hit-and-run, by Steve Schmadeke, Chicago Tribune, published July 31, 2013.