Wrongful Death

Angels Pitcher Killed in Car Accident By DUI Hit-And-Run Driver

April 12, 2009 | By Dave Abels

An auto accident has taken the life of Nick Adenhart, a rookie pitcher for the LA Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times and many other news outlets. The car crash occurred on April 9, 2009 just hours after Adenhart pitched six scoreless innings in his first game against the Oakland As.

The collision took place when a minivan ran a red light and struck a sports car that Adenhart was traveling in as a passenger. Two others in the vehicle were also killed. He was riding in a red Mitsubishi sports car. After the van hit them, the sports car crashed into a utility pole. One passenger in the sports car survived and is in an area hospital.

The driver of the minivan ran from the scene on foot and was caught by police a short time later. As the at fault driver was allegedly intoxicated, prosecutors in Orange County filed three counts of murder charges on Friday. He was also charged with leaving the scene of the accident and DUI. It is being reported that the defendant’s blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit.

Chicago Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Deadly Illinois Car Accident

March 26, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago resident who allegedly caused a fatal car crash in Park Ridge on December 25, 2007 has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined $1,900, according to the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate. The defendant, age 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI. He has been in custody since the time of the car accident and he will serve his remaining time at the Dixon Correctional Center. He was sentenced by Cook County Judge Garritt E. Howard.

The auto accident happened in Park Ridge at the intersection of Devon and Canfield just after 12:00 a.m. The defendant was eastbound on Devon when he rear-ended a Mitsubishi that was stopped at a red light. After hitting the vehicle, he then crashed into a childcare center at that location.

There were four occupants in the Mitsubishi and one of the passengers, a 20-year-old man from Chicago was killed in the accident. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County, Case No. 2008-L-012975. The case is still pending and a trial date has not been set. The family is represented by a personal injury law firm located in Chicago.

Chicago Pedestrian Killed in Car Accident

February 25, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A pedestrian was hit and killed by a car in Chicago last Saturday while walking across the street near his Chicago home, according to Chicagobreakingnews.com. The victim was Berthel Walters, 69, a South Side resident who lived on the 800 block of East 46th Street.

The accident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. when the pedestrian was walking in the area of the 3000 block of South Moe Drive. He was hit by a 2000 Dodge Ram pickup truck. The pedestrian was taken from the scene of the accident to a local Chicago area hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 11:00 a.m.

The driver of the pickup truck was also a Chicago resident. As a result of the accident, she was cited for striking a pedestrian in the roadway. Under Illinois law, drivers have a duty to use due care to avoid hitting pedestrians.

Chicago Resident Killed In Car Accident

February 11, 2009 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago resident has been killed in a car crash that occurred at Racine and Garfield Blvd. on the South Side, according to the Chicago Tribune. The collision occurred on February 8, 2009 at around 9:30 am.

The victim, age 65, was driving southbound on Racine when his car was struck by a driver that was westbound on Garfield who allegedly ran a red light. The impact caused the victim’s vehicle to hit a pole.

The at fault driver, a Hoffman Estates resident, was ticketed with running the light and failure to yield. The accident was investigated by the Chicago Police Department.