Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Police who were investigating a Monday night crash in Gurnee now believe that the incident began when two cars were drag racing on Illinois Route 120. One of the drivers lost control, drove through the median and the car rolled over. Once the car came to a rest, it was clear that all the occupants were injured. A 16-year-old girl died from her injuries.
A Honda and a Ford Focus are believed to have been racing on the highway with both vehicles being driven by teenage males. Authorities believe that the 2004 Honda attempted to pass the 2000 Ford and was unsuccessful. The driver of the Honda made a second attempt and lost control, causing that vehicle to crash.
In addition to the 17-year-old male driver, there were three passengers in the Honda. A 16-year-old female and a 20-year-old male were backseat passengers and both are believed to have been ejected from the car upon impact. A front seat 18-year-old male, the 17-year-old driver, and the 20-year-old male were taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville where their conditions were not know.
The Ford was reportedly driven by a 19-year-old male and it was loaded with a 13-year-old female, a 15-year-old female, and a 16-year-old male. The Ford did not crash and there were no injuries in that vehicle.
Friends say that the teenagers were friends and that the drivers met up at a gas station in Grayslake earlier that day. The occupants of the Honda are believed to have been swimming at a friend’s pool earlier in the day and it is not clear where they were heading at the time of the crash.
Now both drivers face charges related to the incident. The driver of the Honda has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated street racing, and driving without a valid license and without insurance. The driver of the Ford has been charged with aggravated street racing and having an expired vehicle registration.
Drag racing is incredibly dangerous for those involved and for other drivers on the road. It takes only a slight error or over-correction to send a speeding car out of control and into another vehicle or barrier. When this happens, people are likely to get hurt. In addition to the criminal and traffic charges pending against the two drivers in this case, they may face civil claims by those who were injured or by the family of the young girl who lost her life. The law allows victims to bring a claim for recovery against a negligent driver so that the driver can be held responsible for his actions.
If you have been injured in an accident where another driver acted negligently, you may have a claim for your injuries. Call the Chicago car accident injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation. We are standing by now to take your call at (855) 529-2442 so please do not hesitate.
At Abels & Annes, we only represent injury victims and we fight for every one of our clients. Call us today and let us fight for you.
Prior Blog Entries:
Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Settle Left Turn Case for $118,000, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 25, 2013.
Abels & Annes, P.C. Settles Car Accident Case for $100,000, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, published June 24, 2013.
Resources:
2 charged with drag-racing in crash that killed Lake Co. teen, by Ruth Fuller, Dan Hinkel and Lisa Black, Chicago Tribune, published June 25, 2013.