Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
A Burbank man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges related to a 2012 crash where he was charged with driving under the influence. As a result of that accident, a 56-year-old woman was killed.
The 52-year-old defendant pleaded to a charge of aggravated driving under the influence in a Cook County courtroom and received a five year prison sentence from the presiding judge. Additionally, he was sentenced to two years of mandatory supervised release after the conclusion of his incarceration, for which he received nearly a year’s worth of credit for time already spent behind bars for this crash.
The accident happened in September of 2012 on 65th Street near Pulaski in the early morning hours. The victim previously parked her car on the street and was walking to the driver’s side door to enter the vehicle when the defendant approached in his car. The defendant struck the rear of the victim’s car and then hit the victim herself before continuing down the road, where the car hopped a curb and then collided with a building, where the car finally stopped.
Emergency crews responded to the accident and took the victim to Advocate Christ Medical Center for treatment. Though she survived the crash, her injuries were sever, and the woman died later that day. The defendant was arrested by police who suspected he was under the influence. A toxicology screen later revealed that the defendant’s blood alcohol content was 0.171 at the time of the crash, or more than twice the legal limit in Illinois.
Drivers in Illinois who choose to get behind the wheel after they have been drinking face stiff penalties if they are cited or if they cause an accident. A court can impose fines, suspend or revoke a driver’s license, require substance abuse treatment, community service, or incarceration in jail or prison. Punishments are usually worse when a drunk driver causes an accident that injures or kills another, as happened in this case.
When a drunk driver puts another’s safety in jeopardy, the drunk driver is breaking the law. Not only will the driver be responsible for any criminal charges that may arise but the driver might also face a civil claim by an injured victim or the family of a victim who was killed in a crash.
If you have been involved in a car accident and you suffered injuries, you have legal rights and you may be able to bring a claim for monetary damages. Since each case is different, it is always a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn about what rights apply to you and whether you have a valid claim.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., our entire practice is dedicated to representing the victims of personal injury accidents. With each case we handle, we put our decades of experience to use and fight for our client’s rights to the maximum recovery possible. If you have been hurt in a crash, call the Chicago drunk driving injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. and let us provide you with a free telephone consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day to take your call at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. Call us and let us help you today.
Prior Blog Entries:
Six Vehicle Crash on I-55 Leaves Woman Dead, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 20, 2013.
Car Accident Lawyers Reach $80,000 Hit-And-Run Settlement, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published July 18, 2013.
Resources:
Man pleads guilty, gets 5 years in DUI death of SW Side woman, Chicago Tribune, published July 22, 2013.
Burbank man charged in crash that killed South Side woman, by Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, published September 25, 2012.