Wrongful Death

DUI Driver Causes Deadly Chicago Area Car Crash

May 29, 2009 | By Dave Abels

An auto accident in the northern suburbs of Chicago has resulted in the death of a Northbrook resident and felony charges against a Gurnee resident, according to the Northbrook Star. The accident occurred on May 22nd in the 100 block of LeBaron Street in Waukegan when a 22 year old driver left the roadway in a Chevrolet Silverado and hit a parked semi-trailer.

His passenger, Andrew Galo, age 22, was pronounced dead at the scene from head injuries. The driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for medical treatment. His injuries were reportedly not serious.

The driver has since been charged with reckless homicide, DUI and speeding. Bond has been set at $100,000. The Waukegan Police Department handled the crash investigation.

2 Deadly Chicago Area Motorcycle Accidents Over Holiday Weekend

May 25, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In the Chicago area there were two separate motorcycle crashes this weekend that resulted in fatalities, according to the Chicago Tribune. One collision took place in Oak Forest, Illinois on Saturday night. The accident occurred on I-57 when a southbound motorcyclist took an illegal U-turn and hit 3 northbound bikers.

Two of the northbound motorcycle riders, Michael Adams, age 47 of Kankakee and Sean Darke, age 34 of Chicago, were killed. A female passenger, Brianna Moore, age 20 of Calumet City, died later in an area hospital. Another female passenger was seriously injured. The motorcyclist who caused the crash survived and was ticketed with disobeying a traffic control device.

The Illinois State Police investigated the accident. It has not been reported if drugs or alcohol were involved. Additional charges are possible once the case is reviewed by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Chicago Area Pedestrian Hit & Killed By Car While Carrying Her 2 Children

May 21, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In the western suburb of LaGrange, Illinois a pedestrian was hit and killed today by a car while she was lifting her baby stroller onto a curb, according to WQAD.com. She was carrying her 2 year old daughter in the stroller. She was also carrying her 4 month old son who sustained a broken leg in the accident. The daughter was not injured.

The victim, Cari Cook, age 30, of Countryside, Illinois was reportedly crossing an intersection with her children and had made it to the other side when she was hit. She was rushed to an area hospital and pasted away a short time later.

The LaGrange Police Department is investigating the accident. It is reportedly not a hit-and-run, however no one has been charged or arrested. Witnesses are still being interviewed.

Chicago DUI Driver Causes Deadly Auto Accident

May 11, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois an alleged drunk driver has caused a car accident that left one dead and 7 others injured on the South Side, according to chicagobreakingnews.com. The car crash happened Sunday night just before 8 p.m. at 43rd Street and Western Avenue.

The collision involved three vehicles and was reportedly caused by an intoxicated driver who ran a red light. The DUI driver, a 38 year old male, was northbound on Western in a 1999 Chevy Cavelier when he struck a westbound Lexus on 43rd. The Lexus driver, a Chicago Heights resident, was killed. After the initial impact, the Lexus struck a Toyota that was stopped at the light.

Seven others involved in the car accident were injured and taken by ambulance to Mt. Sinai Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital and Stroger Hospital. The alleged DUI driver was arrested and additional charges are reportedly pending.

Chicago Car Crash On Dan Ryan Kills 1

May 8, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a driver was killed in a three vehicle accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Friday morning. The accident happened in the southbound lanes around 4:20 a.m. The motorist killed was driving a minivan that hit a semi truck after the truck slammed on its brakes to avoid an accident. The trucker braked because a car in front of the truck had just hit the left side retaining wall and came to a complete stop in the center lane.

The Illinois State Police responded to the accident and are handling the investigation. Three lanes were initially closed after the accident, and two lanes remained closed for the morning rush hour. No tickets were reportedly issued.

If the family of the minivan driver retains a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer, they would likely pursue a claim against the driver in front that lost control and came to a stop on the expressway. While liability could be disputed, an insurance carrier would likely pay on the claim due to the severity of the accident. A claim against the truck driver’s insurance carrier would be investigated as well.

Chicago Area Driver Doing Her Nails Hits And Kills Motorcycle Rider

May 6, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A Lake Zurich, Illinois motorcyclist was killed by an Illinois driver who was distracted because she was painting her nails at the time of the accident, according to UPI.com. Anita Zaffke was on her bike stopped at a yellow light when she was rear-ended by an unidentified driver of a Chevy Impala.

The victim was thrown from her motorcycle and died from chest & abdominal injuries a short time later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the car vs. motorcycle accident, and they have stated that it appears the motorcycle rider did nothing wrong and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The driver was ticketed with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. More serious charges are likely once the accident is reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Chicago DUI Driver Crashes – Passenger Killed – Bond Set At $200,000

April 30, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a Lynwood woman, who was allegedly intoxicated, lost control of her car and crashed nearly two months ago, according to NWI.com. The accident resulted in the death of her passenger, a Chicago resident. Earlier this week in criminal court at 26th and California, bond was set at $200,000.

The bond is a “D Bond”, which means the defendant must post 10 percent of the bond to be released. Her next court date is set for May 18th for a preliminary hearing.

The car accident took place back on February 28, 2009 just before 3 am. (Statistically, 12 am – 3am is the most dangerous time to be on the road). The defendant was driving southbound on the Bishop Ford Expressway near 111th Street when she lost control of her car, drove into the left median, flipped over, and hit a tree.

Orland Park, Illinois Man Killed In Truck vs. Car Accident

April 26, 2009 | By Dave Abels

An elderly man from the southern Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been killed in a motor vehicle accident, according to the Southtown Star. It is alleged that his car ran a red light and was hit by a commercial truck in the intersection.

The car crash happened at 80th Ave. and Wheeler Drive on Thursday at around 3:45 pm when a southbound box truck slammed into a Toyota Corolla. The driver, Walter Zyck, 91 was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he later passed away from his injuries.

His car incurred serious damage and emergency workers had to extricate him from the vehicle. The Orland Park Police Department is investigating the accident and they are reportedly asking anyone who witnessed the occurrance to call (708) 349-4111.

Chicago Rollover Car Accident Involving 2 Vehicles – 1 Killed

April 21, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Chicago, Illinois a two vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 57 last Friday night resulted in the death of a 53 year old man, and criminal charges against one of the drivers involved, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The auto accident took place around 11:00 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Halsted Street.

One person died at the scene and two others were transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with serious injuries. The victim, a South Side resident, was pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center less than an hour after the crash. An autopsy the next day determined that the he died from cervical injuries.

The Illinois State Police are handling the crash investigation. One of the drivers has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence, both felony charges.

Tragic Car Accident Caused By Cell Phone Use

April 19, 2009 | By Dave Abels

In Houston, Texas five children drown when a car lost control and went down an embankment into the Green Bayou, according to CNN. The accident happened Saturday when the driver of a Lincoln Towncar veered off the road after being distracted by an incoming cell phone call.

The driver of the car was the father of four of the children killed. He and an adult passenger were able to get out of the car and rescue a 10 year old girl. However they were not able to save three boys that were ages 4, 6, and 7, and two girls that were ages 1 and 3.

It is also being reported that the driver did not pass a field sobriety test at the scene and was taken to a police station for a blood sample. If the driver was DUI, serious criminal charges will likely be filed.