Illinois man charged in fatal pedestrian accident

On behalf of Strom & Associates, Ltd. posted in Pedestrian Accidents on Saturday, June 14, 2014.

Chicago police said that a 26-year-old man is facing multiple charges in connection with a June 1 accident that left a pedestrian dead. The fatal pedestrian accident reportedly happened in a West Town neighborhood at approximately 6:30 a.m.

Police allege that the 26-year-old man was driving west on North Avenue when he ran a red light at the Kennedy Expressway ramp and collided into another vehicle. The 26-year-old man’s vehicle, in turn, flipped onto its side and struck a 73-year-old man who had been panhandling on the street.

Authorities pronounced the pedestrian dead at the scene of the accident. Furthermore, authorities determined the pedestrian died as a result of blunt force injuries suffered in the accident.

The SUV driver too suffered injuries, and he received treatment for them at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, authorities reported. His blood alcohol content level exceeded the legal limit for drivers in Illinois, police allege. Authorities took him into custody on charges of DUI, disobeying a red light, not exercising due care and aggravated DUI, the latter of which is a felony count.

When pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents, their deaths may significantly impact the lives of their families, not just emotionally but also in economic ways. However, certain family members of accident victims may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for damages suffered via civil action. That is, by retaining a wrongful death attorney and filing suit against the parties at fault for the fatal accident, deceased victims’ families may seek restitution for their loved one’s funeral services, burial and estate administration. Moreover, claimants in a wrongful death suit may also seek to recover lost earnings if the decedent had contributed income to dependents or the family household while still alive.

Source: CBS Chicago , “Man Charged With DUI After Fatally Striking Panhandler“, June 04, 2014