Alleged drunk driving accident injures 5 when car is rear-ended

A 36-year-old Illinois mother was recently arrested after rear-ending another vehicle. She faces multiple charges after failing a field sobriety test when police found four minor children, covered in spilled alcohol, in the car with her. Another bottle of liquor was allegedly found in a diaper bag in the car. Chicago Police reported that the driver was in an altercation with the occupants of the rear-ended vehicle when they arrived at the scene of the alleged drunk driving accident.

The accident reportedly happened when the alleged drunk driver smashed into a stationary vehicle at a red traffic light. The stationary vehicle was occupied by five people, of whom three were children, and they were all transported to a hospital for treatment of bruises and neck injuries. The severity of the injuries was not published.

The Department of Children and Family Services was reportedly asked to investigate possible child endangerment. The charges against the mother include driving while intoxicated, following too closely, and failure to avoid an accident by reducing speed. Also, charges included endangering the lives of four children, transporting unsealed alcohol, possession of cannabis and expired registration.

The five occupants of the car that was rear-ended may have suffered whiplash that is typically associated with this type of collision. It may lead to high expenses for long-term medical treatment. They are entitled to pursue financial relief by filing personal injury claims in an Illinois civil court. Negligence on the part of the driver who apparently caused this drunk driving accident will have to be demonstrated before the court to substantiate claims for medical expenses and other documented losses.

Source: La Grange Il. Patch, “Mom Charged With Being Drunk, High, Endangering Children in Car Crash“, Morgan Searles, Aug. 7, 2015