Kenneth Bolte Killed In Minooka Semi-Truck Accident on Grove Road

Truck Accident - November 17, 2023

63-Year-Old Pickup Truck Driver Kenneth Bolte Died In Minooka Semi-Truck Accident  By the Intersection of Grove Road and Sherill Road

MINOOKA, ILLINOIS (November 17, 2023) – A 63-year-old man identified as Kenneth Bolte has tragically died in a Minooka semi-truck accident by Grove Road and Sherill Road.

Grundy County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Kenneth Bolte was driving a pickup truck when he was struck by a semi-trailer that went through a stop sign without stopping.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. His pickup truck became wedged underneath the semi-trailer.

Despite life-saving measures, Kenneth Bolte was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi-truck was cited for failing to reduce speed in order to avoid an accident.

The Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office said that additional charges could be filed at a later date. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Minooka Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks are substantially more dangerous than passenger vehicles for a number of reasons. According to the IIHS, “Truck braking capability can be a factor in truck crashes. Loaded tractor-trailers require 20-40 percent more distance than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes. Truck driver fatigue is also a known crash risk.” There are many factors that truck companies can take in order to prevent collisions.

• Truck companies can equip their vehicles with forward collision avoidance systems.
• Truck companies should make sure that their drivers are well trained and have a clean driving record.
• Truck companies can equip their vehicles with rear guards and side guards to prevent underride collisions.

All truck drivers need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), ” Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.” If a driver fails to slow down to avoid any collision, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that goes past a yield sign without yielding. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-904, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign at an intersection must stop at the marked stop line and yield the right of way to vehicles that are close enough so as to pose a hazard. A large portion of semi-truck accidents involve truck drivers that were simply distracted.

If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any truck accident.

• Photos of the accident should be taken.
• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.

Semi-truck drivers are often pushed to complete their routes as quickly as possible. This can lead to dangerous compromises in terms of safety. There are many reports of truck drivers falling asleep at the wheel. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Minooka Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Kenneth Bolte. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.

Do you need more information about a Minooka semi-truck accident? Our team of roadway safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We are committed to helping accident victims understand their rights and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.