Laurie Jensen Killed in Des Plaines USPS Truck Accident

Truck Accident - December 7, 2025

USPS Mail Truck Driver Cited for Fatal Des Plaines Car Accident on Mannheim Road That Killed Laurie Jensen, 65, of Mount Prospect

DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS (December 7, 2025) – A woman identified as Laurie Jensen has tragically died in a Des Plaines USPS truck accident on Mannheim Road.

Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:07 AM on Saturday. Laurie Jensen was driving a 2005 Chrysler Sebring when her vehicle was hit by a United States Postal Service truck that drifted into northbound lanes of traffic.

The force of the impact caused major damage to both vehicles. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.

Both drivers were rushed to the hospital to receive treatment. Sadly, Laurie Jensen died due to the severity of her injuries at the hospital.

The driver of the USPS mail truck has been cited for improper lane usage. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Sources of Negligence for Des Plaines USPS Mail Truck Accidents

All drivers in Illinois have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid collisions with other vehicles. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-709, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” There are many ways that a driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a collision.

Speed: A truck driver may have been operating at an unsafe speed given the prevailing road conditions. Even traveling the speed limit could be considered unsafe during periods of inclement weather or reduced visibility.
Driver Distraction: A truck driver may have been distracted by messages from their carrier or by looking at their cellphone.
Driver Fatigue: A truck driver may have been dangerously fatigued and failed to take required rest breaks. Staying awake for only 17 hours can reduce a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, equal to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%.
Blind spots: A truck driver may have failed to check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning at an intersection.

The vast majority of truck accidents are preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are not following traffic regulations. There is a presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that allows their vehicle to drift into opposing lanes of traffic and collide with another vehicle. Depending on the facts of any case, there may be several liable parties for any collision with a mail truck.

Liability for Des Plaines Mail Truck Accidents

Many Postal Service trucks are involved in car accidents every year. According to the Office of Inspector General, “The Postal Service maintains one of the nation’s largest fleets, with over 200,000 vehicles used for daily operations. In fiscal years (FY) 2018 and 2019, Postal Service vehicles were involved in over 58,000 motor vehicle accidents nationwide.” Multiple different entities could face liability for any collision involving a USPS truck.

Employer: The USPS is operated by the federal government. According to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), any person injured due to the negligent actions of a government employee may be able to pursue a civil action.
Vehicle Maintenance Company: If a postal truck was not being properly maintained, or if any type of mechanical malfunction contributed to an accident, the company responsible for maintaining the truck could be held at fault.
Third-Party Liability: There could be several other sources of liability for a collision with a postal truck, depending on the specific cause of any collision. This may include companies responsible for loading the truck or supervising the drivers.

Motor vehicle collisions are often highly complex events. Many different factors could contribute to a truck accident. This is why it is so important that all evidence related to the crash be adequately collected and preserved. Among other things, maintenance records for the truck should be collected, and the truck driver’s logbook should be carefully reviewed. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of the United States Postal Service may be able to pursue some measure of transparency and accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Cook County USPS Mail Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Laurie Jensen. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a preventable tragedy that should not have taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck prior to the collision? What is the safety record of the truck driver involved?

Do you need more information about a Cook County USPS mail truck accident? Our team of accident investigators is here to assist you. We are committed to helping victims understand their legal rights and protecting those rights through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have questions or would like a free, independent investigation into any particular incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.