A suburban Chicago woman was recently charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in connection with a fatal pedestrian crash near O’Hare Airport. According to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli, a 49-year-old man, was walking along North Mannheim Road near a disabled vehicle around 1:30 am when he was struck by a PT Cruiser that swerved to the right in order to avoid a crash with another vehicle. The 21-year-old driver also reportedly hit a parked Volvo that police believe was being driven by the pedestrian before it became disabled.
According to a representative from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the 49-year-old man died as a result of numerous injuries he sustained in the pedestrian accident. Following the fatal collision, the 21-year-old driver was not only charged with felony DUI but also driving without insurance, transporting alcohol, and striking a pedestrian in a roadway. The deadly crash is currently under investigation by the Chicago Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Unit.
Although the Illinois Vehicle Code requires all drivers to stop for pedestrians who are crossing the street, accidents still occur. Inattentive, reckless, negligent, or impaired motorists cause thousands of traffic collisions every year. Annually, almost 6,000 pedestrians are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle across the State of Illinois. Despite that someone traveling on foot may be struck by a vehicle anywhere, most pedestrian accidents occur on the streets of cities like Chicago. Sadly, most pedestrian wrecks result in some type of physical injury. In 2011 alone, more than 100 pedestrians were killed in a traffic wreck in Illinois.
Generally, there is a lot of pedestrian traffic in the City of Chicago. Commuters, taxi drivers, and tourists frequently share the city’s intersections with people who are walking to public transit or other destinations. If you were struck by a Chicago driver while crossing a roadway, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any injuries that resulted. Pedestrian crash victims may be able to recover for their medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, suffering and pain, and a variety of other damages. Contact a quality pedestrian accident attorney to discuss your options for recovery in more detail.