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Fatal car crash in Illinois claims life of 61-year-old man
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Pedestrian walking along Illinois 140 when collision occurred
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Authorities believe distracted driving by cell phone use to blame, plan to seek felony charge against driver
A pedestrian was struck and killed in Alton last month, according to police. Authorities anticipate felony charges against the 28 year-old driver and have indicated the driver may have been using a cell phone at the time of the accident.
The use of cell phones while driving can be a hazard for others who share the road with a distracted driver, but it can be even more devastating for pedestrians who are without the added protection of a vehicle surrounding them. States across the nation are passing laws governing when and how drivers can use cell phones while behind the wheel. Unfortunately, a 61-year-old man lost his life in a recent car crash that authorities believe was related to distracted driving involving a cell phone.
The deadly accident happened along Illinois Route 140 on a Monday morning in late July. The driver of the 2014 Chevy Cruze involved in the accident was traveling east along that road when he struck the pedestrian, who was also headed eastbound. According to authorities, the driver was apparently using his cell phone when he fatally hit the pedestrian. The accident took place not too far east of Powder Mill Road along Illinois 140.
Reports indicate that the pedestrian was not in the process of trying to cross the road when the collision occurred. The force of the impact between the Chevy Cruze and his body threw him against the windshield before causing him to land in the left eastbound lane of traffic. Although emergency personnel that included firefighter paramedics responded to the scene, it soon became clear that the mad had sadly died. Soon after that, police began investigating the deadly crash. Also involved were representatives from the Coroner’s Office and the Metro-East Crash Assistance Team (MECAT).
MECAT is responsible for investigating fatal traffic collisions and often conducts crash reconstructions during that process. In the wake of this particular fatality, officials are planning to bring a felony charge of distracted driving leaded to a death. This Class 4 felony could lead to as much as a $2,500 fine and three years in prison in the event of a conviction. Illinois law expressly prohibits the use of handheld cell phones by drivers operating vehicles with only a few exceptions.
This recent car crash shows just how deadly distracted driving can prove for innocent pedestrians. Fortunately, personal injury and wrongful death laws exist across our country to help those who are affected by these tragedies to obtain the financial restitution they deserve. Our firm can be reached at 314-548-6298 to schedule a free meeting. We can help you learn the steps that are open to you as you decide whether to pursue a case in a civil court of law to obtain the extra measure of justice that the criminal courts cannot provide. While this won’t restore a lost loved one, it can help a family recover financially as they seek to recover emotionally.
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