Dennis Fitzwilliam Killed In Columbia Car Accident On Bluff Road By San Bank Road
Wrongful Death - February 13, 2023
Dennis Fitzwilliam, of Waterloo, Died In Columbia Collision With White Work Van on Bluff Road By Sand Bank Road
COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS (February 13, 2023) – A man identified as Dennis Fitzwilliam died in a Columbia car accident with a white work van on Bluff Road by Sand Bank Road.
Monroe County officials are saying that the collision took place around 5:45 p.m. on Friday. A 31-year-old man was driving a white work van when he crossed into southbound traffic and hit a white truck driven by Dennis Fitzwilliam.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Dennis Fitzwilliam was taken to Saint Louis University Hospital.
Despite life-saving measures, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Police have charged the driver of the work van with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and cited him for improper lane usage.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Columbia DUI Car Accidents
Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA, “Every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 45 minutes. In 2020, 11,654 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2019.” What many drivers do not realize is that there are many substances besides alcohol that could potentially impair them.
- Benzodiazepines
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Opioids
- Over-The-Counter Medications
Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-501, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers are held to an even higher standard. They must not operate a vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. Any driver that hits another vehicle while intoxicated could be held at fault through the doctrine of negligence per se.
If a driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision with a work van.
- The employment status of the work van driver should be determined.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be reviewed.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
It is dangerous and illegal to operate a vehicle while intoxicated. Intoxicated drivers can be held accountable for their actions with criminal charges. The family member of any person that dies can seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Sadly, though, intoxicated drivers will often fight extremely hard to evade accountability for their actions.
Investigating A Columbia DUI Car Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Dennis Fitzwilliam. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for this preventable tragedy.
Do you need more information about a Columbia car accident? Our team of road 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 investigation into a particular incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
