Auto Accident

Chicago, Illinois School Bus Driver In Deadly Crash Sentenced to 6 Years

November 3, 2007 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago, Illiois school bus driver that caused a bus accident that left one pedestrian dead and injured eight others was sentenced to 6 years in prison for reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. He admitted drinking prior to the crash and his blood alcohol limit was nearly 3 times the legal limit, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The accident was earlier this year on May 21.

The driver in the bus crash is 71 years old and the victim was a 22 year old father of 3. The driver was employed by Bryden Transportation. Cook County prosecutors said the school bus was traveling as fast as 70 m.p.h. when it hit an SUV on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois at the intersection of Garfield Boulevard and Wentworth Avenue. The crash involved multiple vehicles and the victim was a pedestiran killed as he was crossing the street.

The pedestrian’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County seeking damages in excess of $50,000 against Moncrease and Bryden Transportation.

Chicago, Illinois Auto Accident Kills 5 People.

November 2, 2007 | By Dave Abels

A Chicago, Illinois car crash left 5 people dead on the Eisenhower Expressway on October 28, 2007. A 29 year old man driving a Volvo was speeding down the highway in the wrong direction and crashed head on with an oncoming car. The auto accident resulted in a fireball explosion and instantly killed the 4 occupants of the car.

The Volvo driver was identified as Frederick Sy, 29, of Chicago, Illinois. He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The occupants of the other car, a BMW, were badly burned and not immediately identified. Dental records are needed to identify the driver and 3 passengers. The Cook County medical examiner’s office has released the identity of one occupant of the BMW as Martha Gonzalez, 24. Frida Perez, 27, and Luis Munoz, 30, were also in the car according to family and friends.

The Illinois State Police are not sure why the driver entered the expressway going the wrong direction. Some witnesses estimate the Volvo was traveling around 100 mph, but Illinois State Police investigators have not yet made a final determination of speed.

Pedestian Accident in Chicago, Illinois Kills Mother and 2 Sons

October 29, 2007 | By Dave Abels

A pedestrian accident in Chicago, Illinois occurred when an 87 year old driver lost control of his car, ran a red light, struck and killed three people. The auto accident occurred at the intersection of North Avenue and Kimball. Alicia Coria, 27, and two of her sons, Ivan Castro (age 8) and Diego Castro (age 10), were killed by a vehicle that struck them as they were crossing the street in a crosswalk .

Her son Christopher (age 12), survived the accident and so did the driver of the vehicle, George Miller, age 87, of Chicago, Illinois. Miller was ticketed by the Chicago Police Department for failing to stop at a traffic signal, driving left of center, striking a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and having no insurance. Chicago Police are still trying to determine what caused Miller to lose control of his car.

It is likely that the accident could create some debate about elderly drivers. NBC Nightly News has reported that drivers age 70 and older have the second highest rate of traffic fatalities of all age groups, a rate of approximately 25 deaths per 100,000 population. The only higher risk group is teenagers.

However, Illinois has the nation’s toughest license renewal laws for elderly drivers. Drivers ages 75 and over have to take a road test every time they renew their drivers license. Drivers ages 81-86 have to renew with a road test every 2 years, and drivers 87 and over have to renew their license with a road test every year. Continue reading