Randall Branham Killed In Witt Car Accident On Illinois 16

Wrongful Death - July 25, 2022

Randall Branham, of Witt, Died In Montgomery County Single Vehicle Collision With Dodge Van On Illinois 16 South of Fifth Street

WITT, ILLINOIS (July 25, 2022) – A Dodge van passenger identified as Randall Branham, 59, has died in a Witt car accident with a drunk driver on Illinois 16.

Montgomery County officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:25 p.m. on Friday. Randall Branham was a passenger in a Dodge van when the vehicle left the road before hitting an embankment and then a tree.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Despite the best efforts of first responders, Randall Branham was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 34-year-old driver of the Dodge van was cited for DUI and driving too fast for the conditions. A full investigation into the crash  remains ongoing at this time.

Liability In Witt DUI Car Accidents

Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. According to the NHTSA, “About 30% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In 2020, there were 11,654 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2011-2020, about 10,500 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.” The higher a person’s blood alcohol concentration, the more they will struggle to perform basic tasks while driving.

• A BAC of 0.02 will cause some loss of judgement and a decline in visual function.
• A BAC of 0.05 will cause loss of muscle control, impaired judgement and difficulty tracking moving objects.
• A BAC of 0.08 will cause muscle coordination to become poor, reduced information processing ability and impaired perception.
• A BAC of 0.10 will cause a substantial loss of muscle control and substantial impairment in vehicle control.

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. To that end, they must always operate their vehicle at a safe speed. It is also illegal for any driver in Illinois to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or higher under Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-501. Drivers of commercial vehicles are held to an even higher standard. They must not operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. Any person that is involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs could be held liable under the legal doctrine of “negligence per se.”

Vans are often used for commercial purposes such as rideshare. If the driver of a Dodge van 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. For example, a van driver may have been transporting a passenger to a medical appointment or some other destination. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any collision.

• It should be determined if the driver of any van was working when the crash took place.
• Photos of the accident site should be taken.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.

Drivers that cause accidents while intoxicated can be held to account through a criminal claim. Family members of the deceased may also be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, companies will often fight hard to deny liability for any crash. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly protected.

Investigating A Witt DUI Car Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Randall Branham. 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. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all who have lost so much.

Do you need more information about a Witt car accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that drunk drivers are held accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.