A motorist was killed and another seriously injured over the weekend in a Chicago car accident after both were struck while standing outside a disabled vehicle early Sunday morning, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The accident occurred at about 2:40 a.m. on Illinois Route 394 and East Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights. The 39-year-old man was struck by an automobile after his car broke down, according to Illinois State Police.
It is the second time in a week that a motorist was killed while stopped with a disabled vehicle. As Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer reported, a 36-year-old woman was struck and killed by a semi after pulling over to check for a flat tire.
In this case, a friend had arrived to help the man and both were standing outside of his disabled Pontiac when they were struck by a passing sports-utility vehicle. The victim was killed and his friend was transported in critical condition to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
The Sun-Times reported that the driver of the SUV was taken into custody and was being questioned; he initially left the scene but later called 911 to report the accident.
In 2008, more than 5,000 people were injured and 137 people were killed in Illinois pedestrian accidents, according to the Department of Transportation.
As reported last fall on Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, police have launched a program stationing undercover police officers in crosswalks and other high-traffic areas in an effort to reduce Chicago pedestrian accidents.