Laurie Boice Killed in Washington Truck Accident

Pedestrian Accident - January 21, 2026

Laurie Boice, 63, Died in Tazewell County Car Accident With Pickup Truck Pulling Trailer on Washington Road

TAZEWELL COUNTY, ILLINOIS (January 20, 2026) – A woman identified as Laurie Boice has tragically died in a Washington car accident with a pickup truck hauling a trailer on Washington Road.

Tazewell County officials are saying that the collision took place around 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Laurie Boice was hit by the pickup truck for undetermined reasons.

Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, Laurie Boice died as a result of multiple injuries she sustained in the collision.

The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Tazewell County Pedestrian Accidents

Drivers have a legal obligation to exercise caution to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway. 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.” There are many ways that a driver may have acted negligently prior to a pedestrian collision.

• Speed: A driver may have been operating their vehicle too fast for the prevailing conditions. Even driving the speed limit could be considered dangerous during periods of reduced visibility or inclement weather.
• Distraction: A driver may have been distracted by their phone or other objects. Driving distraction remains a leading cause of preventable accidents.
• Left Turns: Left turns are among the most dangerous maneuvers that drivers can make. It is easy for a driver to overlook a pedestrian crossing the roadway as they are trying to navigate cross traffic while making a left turn.

If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with any pedestrian in the roadway, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Liability for a pedestrian accident could extend beyond an individual driver that acted negligently. Negligence may extend to the person or entity that owned a truck. Many trucks and vans are being used for commercial purposes every day across Illinois. In general, employers could be held vicariously liable for the acts of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.

Steps to Take After Tazewell County Truck Accidents

Pedestrians lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents. This is particularly true when larger vehicles are involved. According to National Public Radio, “Vehicles with higher front ends and blunt profiles are 45% more likely to cause fatalities in crashes with pedestrians than smaller cars and trucks, according to new research published Tuesday by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any truck accident.

• Police Report: The police report created after the accident should be collected and carefully reviewed. These reports can be very useful, but they can also contain errors.
• Physical Evidence: All of the physical evidence associated with the collision should be preserved. This will include debris leftover at the accident site as well as potential vehicles involved.
• Medical Evaluation: Any person injured in a motor vehicle collision should seek a thorough medical evaluation. Injuries associated with a crash may not be immediately obvious.
• Legal Review: Victims of car accidents should also seek an independent review of the collision with a team experienced in tort claims. This team can identify all liable parties and take steps to preserve the rights of victims.

Pedestrian accidents are often highly preventable. They tend to involve drivers that are failing to properly scan the road ahead of them. They are most common at traffic intersections. This is why it is essential that drivers remain vigilant when proceeding through intersections or making turns. The victims of pedestrian accidents are protected by a number of laws. They are able to seek some measure of accountability for a civil action. This right extends to the surviving family members of any person who died.

Investigating Illinois Pedestrian Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our condolences to the family of Laurie Boice. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to make this traffic interception safer. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck involved in the collision? Is there a history of collisions at this particular intersection?

Do you need more information about an Illinois pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free independent investigation into any particular accident, we are here to assist you. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.