A 22-year-old Hillside man has pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana in connection with a 2010 crash that killed a motorcyclist in DuPage County. On November 30, 2010, the driver was reportedly headed north on Addison road when he attempted to turn left onto Michael Lane. As he turned, he allegedly struck a southbound motorcyclist with his Toyota Camry. Following the accident, the 46-year-old victim, of Itasca, was transported to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital with traumatic head injuries. The victim, who was not wearing a safety helmet when he was struck, later died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the collision.
According to police, the driver admitted to smoking marijuana about 12 hours before the fatal collision. He also reportedly tested positive for the drug. The driver, who was initially charged with two counts of aggravated DUI, now faces a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Police in the Chicago Metro are increasingly arresting drivers who are suspected of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana or other drugs. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 18 percent of drivers killed in auto accidents in 2009 had drugs in their system. In Illinois, that number was an alarming 23 percent. Like other forms of DUI, motorists who operate a car or other vehicle under the influence of drugs may have slow reaction times, blurred vision, an inability to focus, and poor judgment. Unfortunately, everyone traveling on the roadway is placed at risk when an impaired driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of a car.
As this tragic accident demonstrates, the victims of an accident with a drugged driver may experience catastrophic injuries or death. Although an impaired driver may be held criminally liable, he or she should also be held responsible for any damages that resulted from the crash. If you were hurt in an auto accident with a drugged driver, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, any resulting disability, and other damages. If you lost a loved one in an accident with an impaired driver, you may also be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. An experienced Chicago car accident lawyer can help.
If you were injured or a family member was killed in an accident with an impaired driver, call Abels & Annes, P.C. at (312) 475-9596 today. Our knowledgeable Chicago Metro car accident attorneys are available to answer your questions and help you file your claim. At Abels & Annes, P.C., our hardworking lawyers are here to help you achieve the compensation you deserve based on the severity of your injuries. To speak with a dedicated personal injury lawyer about your case, do not hesitate to contact Abels & Annes, P.C. through our website.
More Blogs:
26-Year-Old Killed, Two Children Hurt in Morgan Park Metra Train Crash with Minivan, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 5, 2012
“Bring It On” Actress Killed in Pedestrian Accident, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, October 29, 2012
Additional Resources:
Hillside man pleads guilty in connection with fatal traffic crash, by Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune
Man indicted in fatal Addison crash bonds out, by Josh Stockinger, Daily Herald