Articles Posted in DUI

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Two women have been killed in separate Chicago area car crashes this month, with alleged DUI drivers being responsible for both accidents.

On July 3, a 39-year old Carol Stream man was driving in the early hours of the morning with a 30-year old woman when he failed to stop at a train crossing in Itasca, Illinois, drove through the lowered gate, and struck the engine of a passing train. According to the Chicago Tribune, the man had a blood-alcohol content of .183, more than twice the legal limit of .08. His passenger died of her injuries soon after the crash.

The man has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, and is being held on $500,000 bail.

A week later, a 43-year old woman returning home from her job as a 911 dispatcher when a 16-year old driver, who was drunk and high on drugs, plowed into her car. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the young driver, who was an honors student and two-sport athlete at his high school, was being pursued by police at the time of the accident.

The youth had just left a party near Old Town, where he got “drunk and high,” when he saw a man leave his SUV idling on North Michigan Avenue while he went to pay for parking. The youth stole the car and fled police after they attempted to pull him over after he ran a red light. During the pursuit, the youth ran a stop sign at the intersection of Armitage and Hoyne Avenues in Bucktown and hit the 911 dispatcher, causing her to careen into a fire hydrant. The youth escaped on foot, but was soon apprehended. Police say the teen had a blood-alcohol content of .186 and was also high on marijuana and ecstasy at the time of the crash.

The youth has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, felony burglary, misdemeanor DUI, and two traffic citations. His bond is set at $1 million.

Drunk driving is incredibly dangerous for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. Each year, thousands of innocent people are killed in alcohol-related crashes. A brief look government statistics from 2009 illustrate this grim reality:

• Out of the 33,808 driving fatalities nationwide, 10,839 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (32%) – That is roughly 1 every 48 minutes
• 1,077 teens died drunk driving crashes

• 70% of drivers involved in fatal drunk driving crashes had blood-alcohol levels above .15, and the median level was .17
• 44% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least 1 prior DWI conviction
• 1.4 million people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Out of the 911 driving fatalities in Illinois, 319 of them were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (35%)

Sources:
– 2009 NHTSA Traffic Report
– NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
– 2009 Century Counsel Report- Drunk Driving Fatalities in America
– CDC Stat sheet

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Traffic fatality statistics for 2010 will be released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later this summer. Meanwhile, the agency has recently released comprehensive state-by-state data for 2009. Statistics show car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois declined 13 percent. Still, Illinois experienced more than 900 fatalities resulting from traffic accidents in 2009.

As that number is still relatively high, law enforcement and safety advocates continue their push to urge drivers to drive safer on our roadways and to abide by driving laws during the busy summer driving season and throughout the remainder of the year.Our Chicago car accident attorneys believe that through a conscious effort from all residents we can maintain a significant decrease in these numbers. This decrease will have to result from more alert driving, less distracted driving, the monitoring of drunk driving and more awareness for on-foot travelers and cyclists.

In our state, nearly 1 death occurs for ever 100 million vehicle miles traveled. It is also estimated that there are almost 9 deaths for every 100 million registered vehicles or nearly 11 deaths for every 100 million licensed drivers.

Illinois has witnessed a numbers of years in which the number of fatalities resulting from car accidents has decreased. The steepest decrease occurred from 1975 to 2009 when we saw a decreased of 55 percent. In 1975, we saw more than 2,000 traffic accident fatalities, compared to 911 in 2009. During these 34 years, we experienced a 76 percent decrease in the number of fatalities per vehicle miles traveled.

The numbers aren’t all positive, however. From 2000 to 2009, we saw a near 5 percent increase in fatalities from car accidents that involved a drunk driver. During 2009 alone, nearly 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents involved a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.

Speeding was also a common factor in many of these accidents. Of the 911 traffic fatalities in 2009, 325 of them were the result of an accident that involved a speeding driver. Most of these accident occurred in an area with a set speed limit of 55 mph.

Passenger cars suffered the most fatal accidents as they accounted for nearly half of all deadly crashes. Light trucks followed behind, accounting for 32.9 percent of all fatal crashes.

In an attempt to reduce these numbers, Illinois enact a seat belt law for all front seat passengers. If you’re busted not wearing your seat belt, you could face an immediate $30 fine. This law went into effect back in 2003. Consequently, more than 90 percent of motorists wear their seat belt. More recently, the state has enacted a law banning drivers from text messaging or using a cell phone in school zones and construction sites.

Just by looking at this data, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of being in an accident. It may not seem like rocket science, but believe it or not, many residents refuse to follow these few precautionary steps. Residents are urged not to drink and drive as it greatly increases your chances of being involved in an accident. All motorists are urged to wear their seat belt, not only because it’s the law but to help save your life in the event of an accident. And lastly, you’re urged to abide by the speed limits. Increasing your speed increases impact upon a collision which increases the severity of injuries.
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A female motorist that was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol on Monday lost control of her car and crashed, resulting in the death of a baby and injuring three other kids, according to the Chicago Tribune. She reportedly was picking up a chip when she lost control of her vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

The DUI driver, 47-year-old woman who resides in the 5200 block of S. Paulina Street, is now facing reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence charges, both felonies. A judge set her bail at $350,000, according to a spokeswoman from the state’s attorney’s office. Prosecutors allege the defendants blood-alcohol level was .164, over twice the legal limit in Illinois.

The at fault driver had seven passengers in the 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass that she was driving. The accident took place around 6:30 PM on Memorial Day. The incident closed the expressway for around two hours, causing a significant holiday traffic on Monday night. The vehicle is only built to accommodate five occupants, so none of the children were in seatbelts or car seats at the time of the crash.

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Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tom Byrne was given strict orders from Mayor Rahm Emanuel earlier this week to tighten up city enforcement of road laws, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. This order comes after a pedestrian accident in Chicago, allegedly caused by a city employee driving drunk.

We previously reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog that eight people suffered injuries after a city worker allegedly lost control of his truck in the Gold Coast community. The city worker is being accused of driving under the influence at the time of the accident.Our Chicago car accident attorneys understand that intoxicated motorists are frequently responsible for the serious and fatal accidents that occur on our roads. It’s particularly egregious that a city employee is involved.

“One of the things I said to Commissioner Byrne was I want to know what steps need to be taken so, in the future, this does not occur again – both at the level of management and at the level of employees,” Emanuel said.

The 61-year-old city worker reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal limit. Termination proceedings have already been started by the city against that employee. The mayor wants more done though. He says firing the worker isn’t enough to suffice for these types of tragedies that affect the lives of the injured and cost the city millions.

Prosecutors report that the city worker plowed through the group of pedestrians in a city vehicle, a Ford F-150, with a bottle of brandy in his cab. The driver is being held of a $400,000 bond and is facing charges including four counts of felony aggravated DUI and two counts of misdemeanor DUI. He was also cited for negligent driving, failing to reduce speed and transporting open alcohol in a vehicle.

“You take these moments, you deal with them and there are lessons learned for future. And I’ve directed Commissioner Byrne to come back with recommendations,” said Emanuel.

Currently, city employees that hold a valid driver’s license are subject to random drug and alcohol tests. The employee that took out several pedestrians earlier this week was not a part of these random screenings. He was a worker assigned to empty garbage cans and to collect stray debris throughout the city.

“Streets and Sanitation is conducting its own internal review into all aspects of this incident, including supervision, to determine if any policies and procedures should be changed to prevent such incidents in the future,” Smith said.

Employees that have jobs similar to this city employee are only subjected to drug and alcohol tests after being involved in an accident. This worker was tested earlier this year, in March, after an on-the-job accident that resulted in property damage. His previous test came back with negative results.

“Random drug [and alcohol] testing for laborers would have to be negotiated with the union. The city cannot implement the tests unilaterally,” Smith said in an e-mail response to the Chicago Sun-Times.

All motorists are asked to both keep a watchful eye out for pedestrians and to refrain from drinking and driving. This city worker reportedly had neither in mind and in turn injured a number of innocent residents. The city reports to have upped its efforts to keep an eye on their employees to reduce the risks of such accidents in the future.
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A Chicago area car crash that occurred in March, 2011 and caused the death of a 56-year-old Lake Barrington woman has now resulted in reckless homicide charges being filed against a 40-year-old man from downstate Illinois, according to Tribune Local.

The victim was getting into her vehicle at a car wash back on March 24 when a car being operated by the defendant southbound on US Route 12 left the roadway in the area of Honey Lake Road and crashed into the woman and a second vehicle. The second vehicle was then knocked into a third parked in front of it.

The victim and two other people were taken by Lake Zurich Fire Department ambulances to Good Shepherd Hospital. She later died from injuries sustained in the accident.

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Criminal charges have been filed against an driver that allegedly caused a Chicago area DUI car crash involving for vehicles, according to the Northbrook Star. The collision took place on Wednesday at 4:45 PM on the Edens spur ramp near Northbrook and left the at fault driver and three others injured.

There was a traffic backup on the expressway and the motorist, who was driving a red 1999 Honda Accord, was reportedly speeding and did not stop. He rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, causing a chain reaction crash involving four vehicles in total.

The occupants of the vehicle initially rear-ended were the most seriously injured. The driver sustained a spinal fracture and the passenger has a ruptured spleen. Both were taken by ambulance to Evanston Hospital.

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A head-on collision on the West Side of Chicago has claimed the life of two people and injured nine others, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision occurred in the 1200 block of S. Kostner Ave. in the Lawndale neighborhood on early Saturday morning.

Reportedly a 2003 Mazda SUV that was northbound on Kostner crossed the centerline and struck a 1995 Ford Probe. The impact caused the Mazda to flip over, injuring all 11 people inside. Two of those occupants died. The victims were a 19-year-old Chicago resident and a still unidentified woman in her 40s. One of the victims died at the scene, and the other passed away a short time later at a hospital. Two others remain in critical condition at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The driver of the SUV, a 39-year-old Chicago woman, has now been charged with several counts of aggravated DUI. The specific evidence of intoxication was not reported. The driver was charged with a total of 10 felonies.

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A Chicago area accident has resulted in the death of a woman, and criminal charges against an alleged drunk driver, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. The accident occurred on Monday just after 5 AM at Balmoral Park Racetrack in Crete, Illinois.

Will County prosecutors allege a 41-year-old man was intoxicated when he drove his truck into a horse on the track, killing a woman that was riding it. They allege the motorist drank approximately five or six shots while at a barn at the track prior to the collision.

The victim, age 25, died from head injuries, while another woman riding on the horse, age 21, sustained a fractured leg which required surgery to repair.

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Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day and the beginning of a long three-days of celebrating with friends for many. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers urge you to celebrate responsibly, designate a driver, and avoid drinking and driving.

A public holiday in Ireland and an official religious holiday since the 17th Century, the Irish don’t seem to have much on the Americans when it comes down to some serious celebrating. The Chicago River was dyed on Saturday during the 56th Downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade, according to the Chicago Tribune, leaving little doubt that the celebration will be a week-long event this year.St. Patrick — who legend has it used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish — died in 461. While once largely a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has become a secular celebration of Irish culture.

Few know that the original color of St. Patrick’s Day was blue. However, the use of green and of shamrocks dates back at least to the 17th Century. By 1991, the U.S. Congress had proclaimed the entire month of March Irish-American Heritage Month.

And, getting to our point, it is one of the leading days for alcohol consumption in the United States and is one of the busiest days of the year for bars and restaurants. As a result, state and local authorities are prepared for extended celebration and an increased risk of Chicago car accidents during the upcoming three-day weekend.

“We hope the St. Patrick’s Day holiday continues to be the popular and joyous celebration it has become, without being spoiled by impaired drivers,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “For those thinking about drinking and driving, the message is clear. Don’t do it. Designate a sober driver before the party begins or risk arrest, a DUI charge or even worse. Nothing good can come from drinking and driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 10,839 people were killed in drunk driving accidents in 2009 –or about one death every 45 minutes. Alcohol was involved in 381 of the 911 people killed in Illinois car crashes.

The Naperville police are among those reporting an increase in enforcement, according to the Naperville Patch.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports 15 people have died and 1,261 have been injured in St. Patrick’s Day car accidents in Illinois during the last 5 years.

“The Illinois State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols during the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in an effort to prevent alcohol-related tragedies,” said Interim Illinois State Police Director Patrick Keen. “Individuals who drive impaired will be arrested. If alcohol will be part of your celebration, designate a sober driver. As always, motorists are also reminded to buckle-up to ensure safe travel.”

From March 11 to March 17, officials will use about $800,000 in highway safety dollars to conduct roadside safety checks in Illinois, as well as saturation patrols and other impaired driving countermeasures.

Party Hosts:

-You can be held liable and prosecuted for serving alcohol to someone who is involved in a drunk driving crash.

-Make sure all guests have a sober ride home.

-Serve lots of food as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

-Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys from anyone who is thinking about driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

For Partygoers:

-Designate a sober driver before the festivities begin.

-If you don’t have a sober ride home, ask a friend, call a cab, or stay where you are.

-Never let a friend drive impaired.

-Always wear your seat belt.

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Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, working as co-counsel with the Elman law group, have filed a lawsuit against a drunk driver for his involvement in an April, 2009 auto accident. The collision took place in the 9100 block of S. Jeffery Blvd. in Chicago.

The plaintiff was driving southbound on Jeffrey when the defendant, who was traveling northbound in a Mercury Tracer, crossed the centerline and struck our client’s Ford Explorer. The accident was witnessed by a Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief who verified the above version of events.

After the accident, the Chicago Police Department came to the scene. They charged the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol.

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