Throughout the state thousands of young people are completing their high school and college degrees and preparing themselves for their futures. Most will celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family and others will begin new jobs or other academic pursuits. Graduation is a time of ending one chapter in order to begin the next.
A young man preparing to graduate from the University of Illinois unfortunately did not have a chance to discover his future due to a car accident that claimed his life. The man was riding his motorcycle in Urbana when he was hit and killed by another driver. He was reportedly on his way to get a haircut before his graduation ceremony at the time the fatal incident occurred.
The victim was also a former soldier who served his country in Iraq. Prior to enrolling at the University of Illinois he had completed an associate’s degree. Had he made it to his graduation ceremony he would have received a degree in architecture.
No information is known about the responsible driver or why this tragedy had to occur. Though car collisions are common around the state this one seems particularly devastating given the sacrifices the young victim made to serve in the armed forces before completing his education. His family may experience pain and suffering as they cope with his unexpected and catastrophic loss.
As students across the state graduate and plan out the rest of their lives, a family will be planning the funeral for one of their loved ones. An investigation into the matter may reveal more information on why this accident occurred. If they are so inclined, the family members of the victim may choose to pursue legal claims against the responsible driver to recover the losses they incurred through their loved one’s death.
Source: Chicago Tribune, “Iraq veteran from Lemont dies in crash hours before graduation,” Kim Geiger, May 19, 2014
