Hattie Mickell Killed In Chicago Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - February 13, 2025

Hattie Mickell, 76, Died in Chicago Semi-Truck Accident Near Pete’s Fresh Market

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 13, 2025) – A 76-year-old woman identified as Hattie Mickell has tragically died in a Near West Side, Chicago semi-truck accident by Pete’s Fresh Market.

Cook County authorities are saying that the accident took place around 8:45 AM on Saturday near the intersection of South Western Avenue. Hattie Mickell just left the store and began pushing her cart to cross the street.

A semi-truck failed to slow down in time and struck the victim. Witnesses are saying that she was dragged almost around the corner.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the woman. Hattie Mickell was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

But she was ultimately pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities said that she lived in a senior housing high-rise not far from the crash site.

The truck driver involved in the crash remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the Near West Side semi-truck accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks account for a relatively small number of the vehicles on the roadway. But they are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal collisions. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable. According to the National Safety Council, “The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles (70%), followed by truck occupants (19%), and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists (11%).” There are a number of steps that semi-truck drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.

• Truck drivers should check their blind spots before making any turn.
• Truck drivers should slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
• Truck drivers should ensure that their vehicles are regularly inspected and well-maintained.
• Truck drivers should abstain from any substances that could impair their ability to drive safely.
• Truck drivers should take periodic breaks and be well rested before heading out onto the road.

Semi-truck drivers are required to get a commercial driver’s license. They are expected to operate their vehicle with a great deal of care in order to avoid hitting other vehicles or pedestrians. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, every driver must exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. They must also use their horns when necessary and exercise the proper precautions to avoid colliding with any child or person who appears confused. If a truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a person in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Liability for any semi-truck accident could extend beyond the truck driver. The carrier that a truck driver worked for could also bear some responsibility for a collision. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the scope of their job duties. This may include instances where a truck was being used to deliver goods from one location to another. It is important that semi-truck accidents are thoroughly investigated.

• Most semi-trucks are equipped with event data recorders (EDRs). These devices function in much the same way that the black box on an airplane does.
• The logbook of the truck driver involved in the collision should be reviewed. In many cases, truck drivers are pushed to complete their delivery routes on unrealistic time schedules and may become naturally fatigued.
• Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought. It is common for collisions to be captured on the surveillance footage of local businesses and traffic cameras. These can be enormously helpful in demonstrating liability for a crash.

Semi-truck accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve truck drivers who are simply not paying adequate attention to the road ahead of them. This is particularly true if a truck driver keeps going after hitting a vehicle or pedestrian. In many cases, this can be a strong indication that a truck driver was not properly scanning the road ahead of them for hazards. Even if a pedestrian crossed the street at a non-designated crossing, this does not relieve truck drivers from exercising due care in order to avoid collisions.

Investigating Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hattie Mickell. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Chicago Police Department. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. It is our sincere hope that city officials will consider measures to help make this stretch of road safer. The city’s infrastructure needs to keep pace with the growing number of vehicles that utilize Chicago’s streets.

Do you need more information about a Near West Side Chicago truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to holding drivers accountable for their negligent actions and working to make our roadway safer. Whether you have 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.