1 killed and 5 injured in alleged reckless driving car accident

Losing a loved one in a car accident that was avoidable is enough to break anybody’s heart. Having to cope with the high expenses of a funeral and burial while mourning exacerbates the trauma. An Illinois man is facing reckless homicide charges, along with several traffic violations, following the death of a pedestrian in a car accident.

The alleged reckless driving took place on a recent Wednesday morning when a 58-year-old man was northbound on Sheridan Road in Edgewater Beach. He was reported to have traveled at a high rate of speed when he passed some cars that were stationary at an intersection waiting for the green light. He then apparently attempted to pass a bus on the right-hand side and smashed into two people who were in the process of loading items into their car’s trunk. The impact was such that it caused the occupants of three other cars to be injured.

A 71-year-old man died on impact, and four other injured people needed medical care at two area hospitals. The alleged reckless driver was also hospitalized, and his condition was reported to be critical. A bond hearing was scheduled for a later date.

The pain caused by the unexpected loss of a loved one in a fatal car accident can never be removed, but families are free to seek recovery of damages to alleviate the financial stress brought about by the accident and funeral that follows. Family members of the man killed in this accident retain the right to file a wrongful death claim in an Illinois civil court. If successfully litigated, a monetary judgment could help his family gain closure and provide financial aid to cover end-of-life and other costs resulting from the tragic death.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “Man charged in fatal Edgewater crash“, , July 31, 2014