Most Chicago residents understand how quickly traffic and roadway safety can change. From runaway shopping carts to distracted, texting pedestrians, Chicago-area drivers must always be vigilant to prevent unnecessary, tragic collisions and car accidents with others.
One area driver clearly did not take the time to ensure the safety of others on the road when that driver hit and left a 7-year-old Chicago Heights boy who was on his way to school. The child was treated by medical professionals and taken to a hospital shortly after the accident but succumbed to his injuries approximately an hour and a half after the crash.
At this time law enforcement officials have not issued any arrests and the cause of the accident has not yet been determined. The Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the matter and an autopsy is expected to be performed later in the week. These investigations may shed more light on how this tragedy transpired and where liability should be assigned.
This accident is particularly horrific due to the very young age of the victim and the callous manner in which the responsible driver fled the scene of the collision. Though he did not survive, the family of this victim will likely have to cover medical expenses associated with his emergency care as well as funeral expenses for his final services. Their actual damages could be significant aside of the extreme pain and suffering they will experience from burying a child.
Though many Chicago drivers operate their vehicles defensively in order to prevent tragedies like this one, others engage in reckless practices that put innocent lives at risk. As more information is discovered about this incident, the victim’s family may consider its legal rights to pursue compensation against the responsible party.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Boy on way to school dies in ‘tragic’ car accident,” Rosemary Regina Sobol and Jennifer Delgado, Oct. 23, 2013
