Bryce Summary Injured In Chicago Hit-And-Run Car Accident On Michigan Avenue

Pedestrian Accident - May 28, 2022

Bryce Summary, of St. Louis, Injured In Chicago Hit-And-Run Car Accident On Michigan Avenue By East Ohio Street

Police car

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (April 27, 2022) – A St. Louis man identified as Bryce Summary was seriously injured in a hit-and-run car accident along Michigan Avenue.

Cook County police officials are saying that the collision took place on May 12. Bryce Summary was walking with his wife to get dinner.

A white Mercedes tried to evade stopped traffic and hit another vehicle before it hit and pinned the St. Louis man. The Mercedes was apparently fleeing police at the time of the collision. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.

Bryce Summary was taken to Northwestern Hospital with major injuries. Family members said that he has gone through six surgeries and needed to have both legs amputated.

Police are continuing to look for the driver of the Mercedes who fled the scene. You can help support the victim through GoFundMe. According to the GoFundMe page, “Bryce has already had multiple surgeries and has a very long road ahead in terms of his recovery and the use of his legs. He is strong and in good spirits, but he and his family could use your support.”

Liability In Chicago Hit-And-Run Car Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in hit-and-run collisions. According to the AAA Foundation, “There were an estimated 737,100 hit-and-run crashes in 2015 (NHTSA, 2016). This translates to a hit-and-run crash happening somewhere in the U.S. every 43 seconds. The 2,049 fatalities that resulted from hit-and-run crashes in 2016 were the highest number ever recorded (NHTSA, 2017).” There are a number of steps that cities can take in order to help reduce pedestrian collisions.

  • Police officers should heavily enforce traffic violations that are likely to lead to accidents.
  • City officials should steady which roads and intersections have the highest number of collisions.
  • Intersections should be well-lit and designed with pedestrians in mind.

All drivers must use caution in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1), drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians who are crossing in lawfully marked crosswalks. A large portion of pedestrian accidents are due to drivers that are speeding. If a driver flees the scene of a collision that results in bodily injury or death, they may face criminal sanctions as well as civil liability.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability could extend beyond any driver. A police department could be liable for injuries caused by a fleeing driver if officers acted in a willful and wanton manner. As explained in Stehlik v. Village of Orland Park, police officers must consider the safety of the public when deciding to pursue criminals in a chase. They must also terminate chases that are too dangerous to the public. If officers show an indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of others during a pursuit, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many steps that should be taken after any pedestrian collision.

  • Surveillance footage should be sought.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.

Any person that is injured in an accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help with lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, insurance companies and police departments will often fight hard to deny any responsibility for a collision. A pedestrian accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Chicago Hit-And-Run Car Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Bryce Summary and his family as they are going through such a difficult time. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. The driver that fled the scene should do the right thing and turn themselves in. It is never too late to do the right thing and ask for forgiveness.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago pedestrian collision? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.