On Friday two lawsuits were filed in Cook County, Illinois stemming from Wednesday’s SUV Accident that happened in South Suburban Crestwood that left fifteen people injured, according to the Southtown Star. One of the lawsuits was filed by an Oak Lawn couple.
The car vs. pedestrian accident happened around 11:45 a.m. at the Tri-State Auto Auction when a 2000 Range Rover sport-utility vehicle that was going on auction accelerated without warning, drove through a crowd inside the auction house, hit a minivan, exited the building, and then ran into a second crowd of people.
Robert Schutzenhofer, 61, is being represented by counsel and is still in critical condition with severe and life-threatening injuries. He is in intensive care unit at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Illinois.
The Illinois State Police are reportedly investigating whether the vehicle had a mechanical problem. The auction driver was taken to the Crestwood Police Department for interview and it is unknown if any type of charges will be filed. Attorneys for Schutzenhofer plan on investigating both driver error and a mechanical problem as they move forward in the case, however they feel that a mechanical failure is not likely.
As a side note, attorneys with ties to our firm are taking a David Abels & Associates auto accident case to trial next month that could potentially return a verdict in excess of one million dollars.