A Chicago man was charged with aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) after he allegedly drove into a group of pedestrians waiting to cross a street on the Northwest Side of Chicago. According to the Chicago Police Department, the 42-year-old driver was headed north on Central Avenue near Belmont Street at about 12:45 am when he purportedly struck a parked car and drove into the pedestrians. Following the crash, a 36-year-old woman suffered a broken hip and a 32-year-old woman was reportedly treated at Loyola University Medical Center for bleeding in her brain. Additionally, a 25-year-old woman was purportedly transported to Mount Sinai Hospital with a head injury. Although paramedics transported a 38-year-old man to Our Lady of the Resurrection Medical Center, he was unfortunately pronounced dead shortly after the accident.
Police stated the driver fled the accident scene and was apprehended about one mile away after he reportedly crashed into a vehicle that was stopped at a traffic signal. According to Cook County prosecutors, the 42-year old man had a blood alcohol content of .20, more than twice the legal limit of .08 in Illinois. In addition, the man was allegedly driving without a valid license to operate a motor vehicle at the time of the incident. The motorist was charged with several counts of aggravated DUI, driving without a license, and failure to report a fatal collision. Police stated the motorist admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana before the deadly traffic wreck.
Unlicensed motorists are allegedly five times more likely to be involved in a fatal traffic accident than drivers who have a valid operator’s license. Illinois Highway Safety Coalition data states that unlicensed and uninsured motorists are involved in about 80,000 vehicle crashes throughout the state every year. In 2011, about 48,000 tickets were issued in Cook County alone to motorists who did not possess a valid operator’s license.
Unfortunately, vehicle collisions are bound to occur. Still, completely preventable factors like motorist impairment, speeding, and driver inattention often result in a serious or deadly traffic accident. Despite that Illinois law prohibits unlicensed drivers from operating a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle on roadways in our state, many individuals choose to get behind the wheel anyway. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a crash that was caused by an unlicensed or impaired driver, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for any damages you incurred as a result. A quality car accident lawyer can help.
If you were injured or a family member was killed in a Chicago traffic wreck, you should contact the experienced attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. Our dedicated Chicago Metro drunk driving accident lawyers are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to answer any questions you may have and help you file your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Our committed attorneys have years of experience advocating on behalf of clients who were hurt or lost a family member in a Chicago area traffic collision. To speak with a hardworking car accident attorney, please give the lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. a call at (312) 475-9596 today.
More Blogs:
Albany Park Woman Dies Following One-Car Crash in Chicago’s Avondale Neighborhood, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, February 27, 2013
Senior Citizen Dies Following Negligent Pedestrian Accident in Palatine, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, February 24, 2013
Additional Resources:
Man charged in Northwest Side hit-and-run that killed 1, injured 2, by Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune
Police: Man killed in Cragin neighborhood hit-and-run, Chicago Tribune