Bicyclist’s mother files suit against Illinois drunk driver

Bicyclist’s mother files suit against Illinois drunk driver

The mother of a 26-year-old bicyclist who was killed last year in Chicago has filed a lawsuit against the motorist who was responsible for the accident. The decedent was riding his bike on the evening of May 29 on North Clybourn Avenue in the neighborhood of Old Town when he was hit by a suspected drunk driver going south in a Mercedes-Benz. Chicago police say that the bicyclist was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he passed away a short while later.

The 29-year-old driver has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI as well as other misdemeanor charges. The driver’s case has not yet gone to trial, and the man is out of jail on a $100,000 bond. The mother of the decedent filed the wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County circuit court, and she also named the driver’s employer as a defendant in the case.

The man previously named himself as a partner or co-founder of an online directory about nightlife and entertainment on a social media website. The mother hopes that her son’s accident will encourage other drivers to call a cab or a car ride service when they are planning to go out drinking.

The man’s mom, the plaintiff in the wrongful death lawsuit, has indicated that she and her son’s friends have been distraught since the accident occurred. The victim was an avid cyclist, and fellow cyclists put up a street sign honoring the victim’s name at the intersection where the accident took place. An Illinois personal injury attorney may be able to help parents or other close family members of fatal car accident victims. An attorney could walk them through the procedure of filing a wrongful death suit and present their case in court if a settlement can’t be reached.

Source: Chicago Tribune, “Mom of bicyclist killed in ’13 sues driver charged in accident“, Meredith Rodriguez, March 26, 2014