Jennifer Perez Killed in Jackson County Car Accident on Business Highway 13

Wrongful Death - November 7, 2025

Jennifer Perez Died in Jackson County Pickup Truck Accident While Walking Along Business Highway 14

JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (November 7, 2025) – A woman identified as Jennifer Perez has tragically died in a Jackson County car accident on Business Highway 13.

Jackson County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday evening. Jennifer Perez was walking along the southbound lights when she was struck by a 2019 Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Jennifer Perez was taken to a local area hospital in critical condition.

Sadly, she was pronounced dead not long after arriving at the hospital. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Jackson County Pedestrian Accidents

Every driver in Illinois has a legal obligation to use caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human power and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated or intoxicated person.” Several factors could contribute to any pedestrian collision.

• Speed: Drivers are substantially more likely to hit pedestrians if they are speeding.
• Visibility: Pedestrian accidents tend to happen during the period of reduced visibility.
• Fatigue: A number of pedestrian collisions involve drivers that are fatigued after a long day at work.

If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian in the roadway, this could confirm the basis of a negligence claim. Drivers must use caution to avoid pedestrians, even if they are in the middle of a roadway. Depending on the facts of any case, there could be several reliable parties for the pedestrian accident. For example, if a pickup truck was being used for business purposes, that company could be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of the driver.

Steps to Take After a Jackson County Pedestrian Accident

Thousands of pedestrians are seriously injured or killed in car accidents every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Over 8,000 pedestrians were killed on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2022. That’s about one death every 64 minutes. There were also an estimated 140,000 emergency department visits of pedestrians treated for non-fatal crash-related injuries in 2022.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any pedestrian accident.

• Police Investigation: The police should be called to the scene so that they can begin an investigation of what happened.
• Eyewitnesses: The contact information of all eyewitnesses should be collected.
• Independent Review: The report that police officers create is far from exhaustive. It is a good idea to have any pedestrian accident independently reviewed by a team with experience in injury claims.

It is important that victims of pedestrian accidents understand that they do have legal options. They are able to hold the negligent driver accountable for their negligence through a civil claim. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who died in a pedestrian accident. Family members are able to seek some measure of accountability and justice through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Jackson County Pedestrian Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Jennifer Perez. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to help make this stretch of road safer.

Do you need more information about a Jackson County car 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 those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any collision, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.