Jaxin Lee Killed in Edwards County Pickup Truck Accident

Pedestrian Accident - April 29, 2025

22-Year-Old Jaxin Lee Died in Edwards County Car Accident on Illinois Route 130 by East 1725 North Road

EDWARDS COUNTY, ILLINOIS (April 28, 2025) – A 22-year-old man identified as Jaxin Lee tragically died in an Edwards County car accident along Illinois Route 130.

Edwards County officials are saying that the incident took place around 10:15 PM on Friday. A pickup truck was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 130 when it hit Jaxin Lee.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Sadly, Jaxin Lee later died due to the severe nature of his injuries.

The driver of the pickup truck was from West Salem. A full investigation by the Illinois State Police remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Edwards County Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable to the hazards posed by larger vehicles. According to the IIHS, “Vehicles with especially tall front ends are most dangerous to pedestrians, but a blunt profile makes medium-height vehicles deadly too, new research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows.” Several factors could contribute to a pedestrian collision.

• Speed: Drivers are substantially less likely to slow down in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian if they’re traveling at high speeds.
• Weather: Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur during periods of inclement weather. The winter months can be particularly hazardous.
• Distractions: Driver distraction remains one of the leading causes of pedestrian collisions. This will include situations where drivers are looking at their phone or reaching for an object that fell.

All drivers must exercise caution in order to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. Drivers may need to use their horn to alert pedestrians of their presence. They must also be particularly cautious around any person who appears to be confused. If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. This is true even if the pedestrian that was hit was outside of a marked crosswalk.

Liability for any pedestrian accident could extend beyond a driver. A city or municipality responsible for maintaining a roadway could face liability if a dangerous condition on the road contributed to an accident. Consider, for example, Curatola v. Village of Niles, 154 Ill. 2d 201 (1993). The Illinois appellate court held that municipalities owe a duty of care to people who are permitted and intended users of a roadway. It is important that certain steps are taken after any pedestrian accident.

• The police report should be created. These reports can be enormously helpful when it comes to determining liability for a collision.
• Surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought. Many pedestrian collisions are captured by traffic cameras or cameras from nearby businesses.
• It should be determined if the site of an accident was frequently involved in collisions. If there is a history of collisions at any particular intersection or roadway, this may indicate that there is some type of defect.

It is common for drivers to deny liability if they hit a pedestrian on the roadway. But the physical evidence left behind after a collision can help paint a clear picture of what happened, regardless of what any person may claim. For example, an injury to one part of a person’s body can reveal how they were standing when they got hit. It is very important that all evidence is properly preserved after any pedestrian collision.

Investigating Edwards County Pedestrian Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jaxin Lee. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the Illinois State Police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Many questions remain unanswered.

Do you need more information about an Edwards County pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to answer any questions you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. We can investigate the unique circumstances of any collision and help get to the bottom of what may have gone wrong. Whether you just have questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.