Another Fatal Car Accident In Illinois Linked to Alcohol

November 16, 2009

Alcohol related car accidents are a continuing problem in Chicago and throughout the State of Illinois. On Saturday November 14, 2009, one alleged drunk driver caused the death of two people in a car accident on Chicago’ Southside. The allegedly intoxicated driver was reportedly traveling eastbound on East 75th Street in his Chevrolet Malibu when he attempted to make a right turn at an intersection, striking an Oldsmobile Alero which was traveling southbound on State Street. One or both cars struck an Infiniti and Chevrolet Impala at a light in the westbound lanes on 75th Street. The driver and passenger of the Oldsmobile were both killed in the crash. No serious personal injury to the driver or passenger of the Infinity was reported, as both reportedly refused medical treatment at the scene. The driver of the Impala also refused medical treatment at the scene.

The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu was charged with two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI according to the police. The driver of the Malibu was cited for operating a vehicle without insurance, failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision, and disobeying a traffic control device. The police Major Accident Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the collision.

According to recent figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a total of 11,773 of the nation’s 37,261 traffic fatalities were caused by drunk drivers. In Illinois, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher is illegal. An estimated 35% of all traffic fatalities within Illinois involved a BAC of 0.08 or higher in 2008.

Posted by: Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Jason M. Kroot of Kroot Law, LLC