The Lockport Township was recently forced to come to grips with the second death of a 16-year-old high school student in less than three months. According to the Will County Coroner’s Office, a 16-year-old cheerleader and honors student was killed when the automobile she was driving was involved in a wreck with a pick-up truck at the intersection of Division Street and Cedar Road in Lockport. Emergency rescue crews allegedly transported the injured girl to Silver Cross Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The fatal crash reportedly occurred just miles away from Lockport High School where the Homer Glen teen was a junior.
The exact cause of the deadly accident is currently under investigation by local police. It is unclear whether the 49-year-old driver of the pick-up was injured. In September, a classmate was also killed in a similar automobile collision. In that accident, another 16-year-old reportedly died near the intersection of Lauffer and Haas roads in Homer Glen. According to at least one fellow student, the recent teen crash deaths have hit home and some claim to be paying more attention to their driving habits.
According to the nation’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle collisions kill more teenagers than any other cause of death throughout the country. On average, seven young people in the United States between the ages of 16 and 19 were killed in a car crash every day in 2010. During the same year, nearly 300,000 teenagers were injured in a motor vehicle wreck. In addition, teenagers are three times more likely to die in a car crash than individuals who are over the age of 20. Male teens are allegedly twice as likely to be killed in a car wreck as female teens. Sadly, most of these deaths are unnecessary and preventable.
Illinois graduated driver license laws were implemented in an effort to increase safety for young drivers and passengers. For the first year, Illinois drivers who are under the age of 18 may not operate an automobile with more than one passenger who is under the age of 20 and not an immediate relative in the vehicle. Before obtaining an operator’s license in Illinois, all teen motorists must also complete an approved driver education course. In addition, drivers under the age of 18 may not drive on Illinois roadways during certain hours.
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a tragic motor vehicle crash, you should call the dedicated attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (312) 475-9596. Our capable Chicago area personal injury lawyers are here 24 hours per day, seven days per week to answer your questions and help you file your car accident or other personal injury case. Our qualified attorneys are ready and willing to help you protect your rights and receive the compensation you deserve following an injury accident. For a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney, do not hesitate to contact Abels & Annes, P.C. through the law firm’s website.
More Blogs:
Cicero Cleaning Contractor Dies After Falling Into Chemical Tank in Wheeling, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, December 18, 2012
Holiday Burn Injuries are Common in Illinois, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, December 15, 2012
Additional Resources:
‘It should not be like this’: Lockport crash victim mourned, by Susan Demar Lafferty, Chicago Sun-Times
Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention