Hector Castillo Died In Joliet Car Accident With Utility Truck

Wrongful Death - June 9, 2024

Hector Castillo, 75, Died In Pedestrian Accident Involving Joliet Utility Truck By East Cass Street and Herkimer Street

JOLIET, ILLINOIS (June 9, 2024) – A 75-year-old pedestrian identified as Hector Castillo has tragically died in a car accident with a Joliet-owned utility truck.

Will County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:03 a.m. on Wednesday. Hector Castillo was crossing the street when he was hit by a city-owned Ford F350 pickup truck making a left turn.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. He was taken to the St. Joseph Medical Center with life-altering injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, Hector Castillo died around 3:35 p.m. on Thursday, May 23rd. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Joliet Utility Truck Accidents

Far too many pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “In 2021, approximately 7,000 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes, the most in 40 years. During 2009–2016, approximately 47,000 traffic-related hospital admissions occurred annually among pedestrians.” The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable and often involve some amount of negligence on the part of drivers.

• Speeding: A large portion of pedestrian accidents involve drivers who are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions.
• Distracted Driving: It is common for drivers to be distracted by their cellphones or any number of other devices.
• Driver Intoxication: Alcohol is not the only substance that can impair drivers. A driver may become impaired by prescription medications and even over-the-counter drugs.
• Aggressive Driving: Drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians when they weave in and out of traffic and make turns quickly, even if no specific traffic citation is being violated.

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. Many of these accidents involve drivers making dangerous left turns. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-707), no person shall make a left turn or U-turn upon a roadway unless such a movement can be made with reasonable safety. If a driver fails to yield the right of way to a pedestrian while making a left turn, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

A private employer or city could face civil liability for a pedestrian accident, if they owned or operated a vehicle involved in a collision. Generally speaking, employers are vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees. For liability to apply, the negligent driver must have been operating within the course and scope of their job duties. This could include transporting materials for a work project. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any pedestrian collision.

• Most intersections are covered by either traffic cameras or surveillance cameras from local businesses.
• The purpose of a truck driver’s trip should be understood, and their  work logbook should be reviewed.
• Photos of the accident site should be taken. A lack of skid marks on the roadway can indicate that a driver didn’t even attempt to stop.

People who operate commercial trucks and public vehicles receive specialized training. They are supposed to use the utmost caution and strictly abide by all traffic regulations. But far too often, this does not take place. When an employer does have a driver involved in a collision, they will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility. This is one of the many reasons it is so important to have pedestrian accidents independently investigated.

Investigating Joliet Utility Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Hector Castillo. Any person who may have more information about what took place should speak with investigators. It is our sincere hope that city officials will consider measures to prevent other tragedies like this. There are so many questions that still remain unanswered. Was this driver distracted? Has he been involved in other collisions?

Do you need more information about a Joliet pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that municipalities are held accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you (312) 564-4256.