There was a fatal “hit & run” pedestrian accident early Sunday (June 18, 2017) morning in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.
According to Chicago Police, this fatal crash happened at approximately 1:30 a.m., as a man was crossing the street in the 2000 block of West Division Street. At that time, the man was hit by a Toyota Camry that was reportedly speeding east on Division. The driver of the Camry did not stop after the collision and fled the accident scene.
Pedestrian accidents continue to be a significant traffic safety concern in the Chicago area, as well as nationally. Such pedestrian accidents are increasing. There have been various stated reasons for this increase. One reason cited is the increase in distracted driving, as well as “distracted” walkers.
Further adding to concerns for pedestrian safety is that many pedestrian accident happen while people are walking in areas that are supposed to be “safe.” As discussed often on this site – both on the “Chicago Pedestrian Accidents” page as well as discussed in many individual posts discussing pedestrian accidents – many people who are hit by vehicles are walking in crosswalks at the time of the accident. As well, there are many other accidents – some fatal – which happen as a pedestrian is walking on a sidewalk when they are hit by a vehicle that has left the roadway.
There was a fatal car crash early Sunday morning (May 28, 2017) in Chicago’s South Deering neighborhood.
According to information provided by the Chicago Police Department, the accident happened as a car with two women occupants was traveling southbound at approximately 4:45 a.m. in the 10300 block of South Commercial Avenue.
Pedestrian accidents continue to be a significant traffic safety concern in the Chicago area, as well as nationally. Such pedestrian accidents are increasing, and there have been various stated reasons for this increase. One reason cited is the increase in distracted driving, as well as “distracted” walkers.
As seen in the pedestrian accidents that have been discussed on this site (in posts found under the “pedestrian accidents” category, as well as further discussed on the “Chicago Pedestrian Accidents” page) such accidents in the Chicago area often involve serious accident injuries. Many such accidents have been fatal.
On this site “drugged driving” – also called drug-impaired driving – has been discussed in various posts, including highlighting a recent study regarding such impaired driving in the May 7 post titled “‘Drugged Driving’ Report.”
There are many reasons why driving while impaired because of drug use is notable. As mentioned previously, there have been many recent Chicago-area accidents in which the driver has been under the influence of drugs. As well, the frequency of such accidents is notably high and has been increasing. As such, from a traffic safety perspective, such “drugged driving” has become a serious issue.
“Distracted Driving” remains among the top causes for Illinois traffic accidents. There are many types of activities that can constitute distracted driving. As seen on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Distracted Driving page, the NHTSA definition is the following:
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.
Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
“Drugged Driving” (also called “drug-impaired driving”) is increasingly common, and has been a cause or contributing factor in many recent Chicago-area accidents. On this site, various aspects and statistics regarding “drugged driving” are seen in the December 28, 2016 post titled “Increase In ‘Drugged Driving’.”
On April 26, 2017, the Governors Safety Highway Association (GHSA) released a press release concerning “drugged driving.” The release is titled “New Report Calls States to Take Action on Drug-Impaired Driving.”
There was a fatal collision between a CTA bus and car early Sunday morning (May 7, 2017) on Chicago’s Near West side. Four people died as a result of the crash.
According to the Chicago Fire Department, the crash happened in the 2600 block of West Madison Street just before 6:00 a.m.
An excerpt from the May 7, 2017 Chicago Tribune article (with video) titled “2 of 4 killed identified after CTA bus, car collide in Near West Side“:
Pedestrian accidents continue to be a significant traffic safety concern, due to both the severity of the injuries (some fatal) these accidents typically involve, as well as the increase in such accidents. Various aspects of pedestrian accidents – including the types of accident injuries that typically occur as well as what you should do if you are hit by a vehicle – are further discussed on the “Chicago Pedestrian Accidents” page.
As seen in the pedestrian accidents that have been discussed on this site (in posts found under the “pedestrian accidents” category) such accidents in Chicago as well as in the greater Chicago area often happen while the pedestrians are walking in a crosswalk.
A 12-year-old boy was struck while walking in a crosswalk yesterday (April 25, 2017) in Wheeling. The pedestrian accident happened near Wheeling High School.
On this site “drugged driving” – which is also called drug-impaired driving – has been often discussed due to its increasing frequency and cause of many Chicago-area vehicle accidents. [On this site such accidents and related issues are seen in posts under the “DUI” category.]
While the drugs involved in such “drugged driving” can vary broadly – and includes both illegal as well as prescription drugs – common drugs used include marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and crystal meth.
Chicago Illinois Car Accident Lawyer Blog