Causing Chicago Car Accidents Can Lead to Cook County Injury Lawsuit and Criminal Convictions for Negligent Drivers
Chicago car crashes resulting in injuries and deaths are tragic for everyone involved. Not only are the lives of the ones that are seriously hurt or the family members of those killed irrevocably altered, but also the motorist that caused the Cook County auto collision will have to live with the consequences of his/her actions forever. The driver may also become the defendant of a Chicago injury or wrongful death lawsuit and/or land in jail.
This week, Michael Penachio was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to reckless homicide in the 2007 drunken driving death that claimed the life of 22-year-old Danielle Baker. The LaGrange man has already settled the Chicago wrongful death lawsuit filed by Baker’s family. $54,000 will go toward the tuition fund of Baker’s daughter, who is now 4.
The deadly Chicago auto accident occurred on March 6, 2007 on the Eisenhower Expressway when Penachio's Mercedes-Benz sedan, moving at a speed of about 100 mph, rear-ended Baker’s vehicle. Her gas tank ruptured and the car burst into flames. Baker died instantly, causing her body to burn beyond recognition. Meantime, Penachio had been driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.191, which was over twice the legal limit.
In an unrelated auto collision, on August 27 an Illinois judge sentenced Sandra Vasquez to 15 years in prison for a fatal car crash that killed five teens in 2007. Vasquez was driving eight teens home from an underage drinking party when she crashed her car into a light pole. While she has admitted to drinking four alcoholic beverages that night, Vasquez maintains that was not driving drunk.
Chicago Car Accident Victims
If you or someone you love was injured in a Chicago, Illinois car accident, it is important that you explore your legal options immediately.
5 years for La Grange man in fatal DUI, Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2010
15 years for woman in DUI crash that killed 5 teens, Chicago Breaking News, August 27, 2010
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