Malman Law
Legal News

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Hit and Run Death

Hit and Run Death in Chicago- Suspect Apprehended

A Northwestern University law student was killed over the weekend of March 24th by woman with a blood alcohol level of double the legal limit, according to the Chicago Tribune.

21-year-old Bianca Garcia is charged with DUI and reckless driving in a crash that killed Jesse Bradley. The 32-year-old victim was crossing the intersection at LaSalle and Division early Saturday morning when he was struck by an SUV driven by Garcia. She did not stop, officials said, and was picked up a few moments later.

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Ericka Graunke, Garcia had a blood alcohol content of more than double the .08 legal limit following the early Saturday morning crash. Additionally, Garcia did not have a driver’s license or vehicle insurance and so is facing additional several charges in addition to the hit and run, including driving under the influence and traffic violations.

This tragic event happens all too often in Chicago and across the country. One quick ill-conceived choice, the decision to drive while intoxicated, can end lives and forever alter the lives of so many families and loved ones.

DUI Injuries and Wrongful Death

Although people operating under the influence are not fully in control and have the distinct reputation for making poor decisions (such as getting behind the wheel), they are certainly not exempt them from responsibility or liability for their actions—especially if a serious injury or a wrongful death result.

• Filing a car accident case or wrongful death lawsuit can allow you to recover the costs incurred from medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other damages suffered.

Hit and Run Accidents

While it is certainly illegal to flee the scene of an accident, hit and runs happen for many different reasons. A few of the most typical reasons a driver would commit a hit and run include:

• Prior criminal record
• Uninsured or underinsured
• Panic
• Fear of consequences
• Driving under the influence

A number of these apply to the above case, and thus we can see that the alleged hit and run offender certainly fits the profile of someone who would have been likely to flee the scene of an accident.

Uninsured Motorists

That the accused did not have vehicle insurance is not so rare, according to the Insurance Research Council, as roughly one in seven Americans do not have motor vehicle insurance coverage. The following applies to drivers in Illinois:

• Illinois mandates insurance coverage for all drivers.
• Those hurt recently or even several weeks or months ago by an uninsured driver, still may have legal options and ought to consult with an attorney.
• Illinois has pricey fines and corresponding penalties for those who do not have insurance coverage.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Chicago DUI car accident, hit and run accident, or an accident with an uninsured motorist, you need to speak with a qualified Chicago car accident attorney right away.

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