Stephanie Imrisek Killed In Joliet Car Accident By McDonough Street

Pedestrian Accident - September 20, 2023

Stephanie Imrisek, 49, Died In Pedestrian Accident With Pickup Truck By McDonough Street west of South Larkin Avenue

JOLIET, ILLINOIS (September 20, 2023) – A 49-year-old woman identified as Stephanie Imrisek has tragically died in a Joliet car accident by McDonough Street and South Larkin Avenue.

Will County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:16 p.m. on Monday. Stephanie Imrisek was crossing the roadway when she was hit by a Ford 250 pickup truck making a left turn.

The driver of the pickup truck continued westbound after the accident, but he returned to the scene a short time later. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to render aid to the victim.

Stephanie Imrisek was taken to Ascension Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, but she died a short time later. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Joliet Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are uniquely vulnerable to the hazards posed by motor vehicles. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed on our nation’s roads in crashes involving a motor vehicle in 2020.1 That’s about one death every 75 minutes. One in six people who died in crashes in 2020 were pedestrians.” There are many factors that could contribute to a pedestrian collision.

• Drivers may fail to check their blind spots before making left turns.
• Drivers may be distracted by their cellphones.
• Drivers may be fatigued after a long day.

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise all due care in order to avoid hitting any pedestrian in the middle of the roadway. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1), every driver must exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians and bicyclists in the roadway. They must also use their horn when necessary to warn others about their presence. If a driver fails to slow down and hits a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a pedestrian collision could extend beyond any negligent driver. Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employers could be liable. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are many steps that should be taken after any pedestrian collision.

• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.
• Medical records related to the collision should be preserved.
• A thorough investigation should be conducted.

The vast majority of pedestrian accidents are preventable and many involve some amount of driver error. This is particularly true when drivers are making left turns. It can be hard to know what to do after any car accident. But it is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a pedestrian collision may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating A Joliet Pedestrian Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Stephanie Imrisek. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about a Joliet pedestrian collision? Our team of pedestrian 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 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.