Car accident: Car wedged under semi kills 1, critically injures 2

One of many crashes on Illinois roads that have recently claimed the lives of young people who are on the brink of adulthood occurred in Harvey on a recent Wednesday evening. One person was killed, and two more suffered critical injuries when the vehicle they were traveling in became trapped underneath a semi truck. Police reported that they had reason to believe the car accident resulted from the driver being distracted and possibly speeding.

An accident report indicates that three men, all about 20 years old, were eastbound on a Harvey road when they came across a northbound semi that was in the process of making a left turn. Officers say the truck’s turn into the rail yard was perfectly legal. For unknown reasons, the car carrying the three young men smashed into the semi and their vehicle was wedged underneath it.

After the three occupants of the vehicle were extricated, they were all rushed to different hospitals. Sadly, the passenger who was in the backseat died on the way to the hospital. The driver and the front seat passenger were reportedly both in critical conditions when they were admitted to the hospitals. During a preliminary investigation, police found a mobile phone on the driver’s side, causing them to suspect that the driver might have been texting while driving. Speed is also suspected to have played a role, and although toxicology tests were ordered, alcohol is not believed to have been a contributing factor.

Illinois drivers will always be responsible for the safety of their passengers and may be held responsible if their negligence results in injuries or fatalities. The surviving family of the deceased passenger may pursue litigation of a wrongful death claim by the successful presentation of established negligence by the driver. Similarly, the injured victim may pursue financial relief by filing a personal injury claim. Once financial liability has been established, the court may award restitution for documented financial, physical and emotional losses that were brought about by the car accident.

Source: Orland Park, IL. Patch, “Texting, Speeding Suspected in Crash that Killed 1, Critically Injured 2“, Lauren Traut, Oct. 22, 2015