Driving home from work on a Tuesday afternoon, the typical Illinois motorist is probably thinking about what’s for dinner and the work awaiting him or her in the office the next morning. This driver is probably paying attention to surrounding traffic, red lights and other traffic signs. It may be expected that another driver will change lanes without looking carefully or that a light will suddenly change, indicating the need to quickly put on the brakes. A driver fleeing from police, crashing into one’s car and allegedly causing a fatal car accident is usually not an expected occurrence.
Recently, police attempted to stop an individual who apparently had an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. Rather than pull over to discuss the matter with the police officer, authorities reported that the driver sped away. In doing so, he allegedly drove through a stop sign and ran into another vehicle. The police officers stated that they did not attempt to pursue the man as he fled.
The vehicle that he hit was driven by another man believed to be around 40 years old. This driver was transported to a local hospital where he later died. There was also a passenger in the car with the fleeing driver. This individual was also critically injured in the accident and taken to a local hospital.
One man’s decision to flee rather than stop when police attempted to pull him over has apparently resulted in a fatal car accident. Now, one Illinois family is grieving the loss of a loved one, and another family is left to worry about the serious injuries suffered by their loved one. In addition to the emotional turmoil this accident has caused, both families are now faced with mounting expenses and other financial losses. It may be in their personal interests to investigate their legal options through Illinois’s civil courts.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Man flees Elgin police, causes fatal traffic accident, police say”, , May 27, 2014