In Chicago, Illinois, there are many sober and safe drivers. Unfortunately for those drivers, there are also many other drivers who are out on the same roads driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The actions of those who drive under the influence often result in serious injuries and wrongful death. That was the case with a man who directly caused the death of an elderly woman in a recent crash in Tinley Park, Illinois.
The man has been charged with aggravated DUI causing death as well as driving without insurance because of the crash, which occurred close to the corner of 167th Street and 80th Avenue. He is also now facing a wrongful death lawsuit, which was filed against him in Cook County Circuit Court by attorneys representing the son of the woman who was killed.
The lawsuit, in addition to accusing the man of being responsible for the wrongful death of the elderly woman, includes multiple counts of negligence. According to the suit, the man was driving drunk, was in the wrong lane and drove his vehicle at high speed into the car the elderly woman was in, resulting in her death and injuries to two other passengers who were in the car with her.
The man had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that was three times the legal limit when the crash happened. He had faced DUI-related charges on two prior occasions, showing a pattern of dangerous drunk driving. Reportedly, the elderly woman in the other car had seen the man’s car speeding towards her and had asked the driver of her car to speed up, but it was too late, and she suffered internal injuries and a broken neck in the crash, resulting in her death, according to the suit.
Cases like this affirm the importance of not drinking and driving. If you suspect that someone is about to drive drunk, it is best to offer to drive or to take his or her keys rather than letting him or her hurt other people. If you or someone you love have suffered serious injuries in a drunk driving accident, an attorney can help you learn more about seeking compensation through a civil lawsuit.
Source: Tinley Park Patch, “Lawsuit Filed Against DUI Driver In Death Of 79-Year Old Woman,” Tim Moran, March 23, 2018