Driver admits guilt to contribution in fatal bicycle accident

Some Illinois residents enjoy watching the Chicago Cubs on television at their favorite local bar, restaurant or with friends. Game viewing is often accompanied by consuming alcohol. Some people unfortunately make poor decisions after consuming alcohol that could harm themselves and/or others. Not long ago, a Cubs fan caused a bicycle accident after he made the poor choice to drive drunk.

Reports state that the 32-year-old male had been with friends watching a baseball game. The legal blood alcohol limit to drive is in Illinois is .08 percent, and his was almost double that limit. Not only was he under the influence, but he was also driving 20 to 30 miles over the speed limit. His apparent reckless driving caused him to collide with a man on a bicycle.

The victim was a popular bicyclist known for helping other riders become familiar with driving safely through the city. Sadly, the bicycle rider did not survive the accident. The drunk driver pleaded guilty to the criminal charges and asked the bike rider’s family for forgiveness in court. His sentence consisted of 10 days in jail with a four year probation.

Unfortunately, when a bicycle accident occurs in Illinois, it often causes serious injuries many of which are fatal. The family of the bicycle rider may have also had to deal with medical and funeral costs in addition grieving his death, though the criminal court ordered the defendant to pay for the funeral expenses in this case. A personal injury attorney can guide a family through the possibility of a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court to potentially recover financial losses resulting from the accident. Based on the evidence presented in court, other applicable damages related to the incident may be awarded.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “Park Ridge man gets 10 days in jail for killing bicyclist while driving drunk“, Jan. 27, 2017