Illinois police officials report that an auto accident in Dekalb which resulted in one fatality may have been caused by drunk driving, according to The Chicago Tribune. The crash occurred on February 19 around 4 a.m. when the deceased victim drove his Hyundai sedan into the rear of a semi-trailer near the campus of Northern Illinois University. The 21-year-old driver was killed, while the two passengers in the vehicle were injured.
Both passengers were taken to area hospitals for treatment; one, who is the 29-year-old brother of the driver, is presently listed in critical condition. Authorities now report that open containers of alcohol were found in the vehicle, leading officials to believe alcohol may have played a part in this deadly crash.
According to 2009 data from The Century Council, a group committed to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking, there were a total of 319 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in Illinois. Seventy percent of these fatalities involved drivers with a high BAC (blood alcohol content), specifically, .15 or higher. In addition, there were a total of 4,250 arrests for driving under the influence in 2009. Though a recent report shows the number of IL drunk driving fatalities has decreased, MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) ranks Illinois as the 29th highest state for DUI-related deaths, indicating the need for the state’s drivers to be more cautious and prevent drunk driving by designating a sober driver, taking a cab, or using public transportation.
When someone chooses to drink and get behind the wheel, he or she will not only endanger themselves, but anyone else on the road. If you have been injured or lost a loved in an alcohol-related crash, the Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers with the Bradley Law Firm will work to ensure you get justice and receive the compensation you deserve to move forward after a devastating accident. Call (312) 252-1488 to discuss your case with a member of our law team.
