Christopher Dyszkewicz Killed in Danville Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - May 13, 2025

Investigation Underway After Danville Semi-Truck Accident Resulted in Death of 51-Year-Old Cyclist Christopher Dyszkewicz on East Main Street

DANVILLE, ILLINOIS (May 13, 2025) – A 51-year-old man identified as Christopher Dyszkewicz has tragically died in a Danville semi-truck accident on East Main Street.

Vermillion County officials are saying that the accident took place on Monday afternoon. Christopher Dyszkewicz was operating a bicycle on the sidewalk when he lost control and fell into the adjacent street.

A semi-truck driver failed to slow down and ran over the victim. That driver stopped after the accident and called 911.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Sadly, Christopher Dyszkewicz was beyond medical aid and pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.

The truck driver involved in the accident was not issued any citations immediately following the collision. A full investigation into the circumstances of the fatal accident remains ongoing.

Liability for Danville Semi-Truck Accidents

Pedestrians lack  the protection of enclosed vehicles and are uniquely vulnerable to the hazards posed by car accidents. According to National Public Radio, “Pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have been climbing steadily, to their highest level in more than 40 years. The number of pedestrian deaths is growing faster than traffic fatalities overall, jumping more than 80% since 2009.” Truck drivers should take several measures in order to avoid colliding with pedestrians and cyclists.

• Scanning: Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
• Horn: Truck drivers should periodically use their horn when necessary in order to alert pedestrians and cyclists of their presence.
• Rest: Truck drivers must take periodic breaks in order to ensure that they are well rested and alert.

Truck drivers must operate their vehicles with an abundance of caution in order to avoid colliding with pedestrians and cyclists in the roadway. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, the driver of every vehicle shall exercise due care in order to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or bicyclist in the roadway. They must also exercise proper precaution to avoid colliding with any child or incapacitated person. When a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a downed cyclist or fallen pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability for any bicycle accident could extend beyond the driver of a vehicle. A city or other municipal entity could be liable for an accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. This may include a sidewalk that had broken pavement or other defects. Liability may be established through Illinois’ Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10/).

A number of lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs injured as a result of dangerous conditions on public property. Consider, for example, Ory v. City of Naperville, 2023 IL App (3d) 220105. A pedestrian fell and was injured on a bridge in Naperville due to an alleged defect with the sidewalk. However, the court held that in order for liability to apply, the defendant must’ve had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition. They must also have had sufficient time to remedy the dangerous condition through repairs or other means. It is important that certain steps are taken after any truck accident.

• A police report of the accident should be created.
• Surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought.
• The condition of any sidewalk or walkway that contributed to an accident should be understood.
• The history of accidents along a particular stretch of road should be investigated.

The vast majority of truck accidents are completely preventable. They tend to involve situations where truck drivers are simply not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. They may be distracted by GPS or any number of other objects. Fatigue is another major contributing factor in these accidents. Nearly one in 10 truck drivers involved in a fatal collision reported feeling under pressure from their carrier. It is vital that the circumstances of any truck accident is properly understood.

Investigating Danville Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Christopher Dyszkewicz. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Danville Police Department. There needs to be a thorough investigation into all of the factors that may have contributed to this crash. As cities across Illinois have continued to grow larger, our roadways have not kept pace with increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Do you need more information about a Danville semi-truck accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and working to make our roadways safer. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into what may have caused any particular accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.