Chicago Chain-Reaction Crash Kills Driver and Injures Trooper
An Illinois state trooper was injured and a driver were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on I-57 in south suburban Riverdale, police reported. The trooper and the other driver were driving in the northbound lanes of I-57 near 138th Street around 2:30 a.m. when what might have been a case of drunk driving lost control of his vehicle setting off a chain-reaction crash sending both cars off the roadway and into a wall. Though, the actual cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The Northbound I-57 at 147th Street Crash Scene Investigated
The person in the car that lost control died at a local hospital, police reported. The person’s identity has yet to be released by the coroner. The trooper was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, state police said. His injuries were not considered to be life-threatening. The northbound lanes of the northbound I-57 at 147th Street were closed for hours as the accident scene was investigated.
Drunk driving in Illinois is a serious offense. If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI you need a lawyer as soon as possible. We have years of experience in this field.
How Do DUI Offenses in Illinois Work?
DUI offenses in Illinois have two different aspects. The first are your criminal charges. If you are operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at least .08% than you are considered to be driving under the influence. The penalties vary depending on the BAC level and the number of offenses. You may do jail time if your BAC level was .16% or if there was a juvenile in the car at the time of arrest. Fines can be as high as $25,000 dollars.
The second aspect are the DMV license suspension actions. Your license can be suspended from one to ten years depending on number of offenses. The suspension happens instantly within forty-six days after your arrest. This can seriously jeopardize your livelihood and quality of life. The good thing is you are entitled to a hearing to contest the suspension.
However, you can file a Petition to fight it right away—weeks before the hearing. This is another reason to hire a qualified lawyer. Our team can file the Petition fighting the suspension which can greatly increase the chances of your license not being suspended or shortening the length of the suspension.
Are there Other Penalties for DUI charges?
Other penalties include treatment programs and community service, in addition to having a Breathalyzer installed in your ignition system that requires you to breathe into it to start your car. These devices are expensive to install, maintain and remove. For those who are under the age of twenty-one, first time offenders are subject to a zero-tolerance suspension if a chemical assessment reveals a BAC of more than .00%, but less than .08%.
As you can see, a charge of DUI in Illinois is an extremely serious event. You have to do all you can to protect your rights and get the best possible outcome. Call our firm today to get a head start.