Single-car accident kills Illinois driver, injures passenger

Traveling as a passenger in a vehicle that is operated by a driver who tends to be negligent — or drive while impaired in any way — can be dangerous. Single vehicle crashes in Illinois have claimed many lives and caused injuries to many more. Jefferson County authorities are investigating a single-car accident that resulted in the death of a driver and caused serious injuries to a passenger.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded after receiving a 911 call about a single-vehicle crash shortly after 3 a.m. on a recent Saturday. Emergency personnel from the fire department, ambulance services and the coroner’s office also proceeded to the scene of the reported accident. A preliminary accident report indicated that a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree.

It was determined that a 22-year-old McLeansboro resident was the driver of the vehicle. He reportedly lost his life, and his death was declared at the accident scene. A 21-year-old injured passenger from Carterville was rushed to a St. Louis hospital. The severity of her injuries was not disclosed.Although the cause of the vehicle leaving the road has not yet been determined, the injured victim may have a viable claim against the driver’s estate.

If the negligence of a driver causes a car accident in which a passenger is injured, the victim may pursue financial relief through litigation of a personal injury claim in an Illinois civil court. In a case such as this one in which the driver was killed, the estate of the deceased driver may be held accountable for documented financial and emotional damages. However, the court will only consider entering a monetary judgment once negligence has been established.

Source: kfvs12.com, “1 killed, 1 injured in Jefferson Co. car crash“, Zach Robinson, Jan. 2, 2016