Woman Killed In Mobil Gas Station Accident In Rockford
Truck Accident - August 10, 2023
Female Pedestrian Killed In Truck Accident At Rockford Mobil Station on Southrock Drive
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS (August 10, 2023) – A 42-year-old woman has tragically died in a Rockford car accident at a Mobil gas station on Southrock Drive.
Rockford police officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:00 a.m. on July 29. A 35-year-old driver in a trailer truck struck the victim leaving her critically injured.
She was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. Tragically, she later died due to her injuries. Police arrived at the Rockford Mobile gas station and arrested the truck driver on suspicion of Aggravated DUI.
A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Illinois DUI Car Accidents
Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “In 2020, 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, accounting for 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. This was a 14.3% increase compared to the number of crash deaths involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2019.” Even small amounts of alcohol can severely impact drivers in the following ways.
- Drivers may lose their ability to stay within their lanes.
- Drivers may not be able to judge the distance of vehicles ahead of them.
- Drivers may have a difficult time staying awake.
It is illegal for any person in Illinois to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Commercial drivers are held to an even higher standard. They are not allowed to operate their vehicle with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. Any person that causes an accident while intoxicated may face civil and criminal liability for their actions.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability could extend beyond an at fault driver. If the driver of a truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the tortious conduct of their employees who were working within the scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any car accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
By the time a person is arrested for DUI, they will likely have driven under the influence dozens of times. It is common for people to overestimate how safely they can drive if they are intoxicated. The family of any person that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. It is important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
Investigating Rockford DUI Car Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman that died in this Rockford accident. Any person that may have more information about this collision should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Rockford DUI car accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to assist you in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that drunk drivers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free investigation into any collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.