A Tuesday afternoon truck accident claimed the life of a 60 year-old Chicago woman. The fatal truck accident is still under investigation and no criminal charges are pending at this time. The woman was crossing at a crosswalk in her motorized wheelchair when she was hit by a cement truck. The driver of that truck, a Glenwood resident, failed to stop at the stop sign in the intersection.
The Major Accident Investigation Unit is still reviewing the incident. For now, police cited the driver with three offenses: failure to stop at a stop sign, negligent driving, and striking a pedestrian in the roadway. It is not clear if the driver was distracted or if the vehicle malfunctioned leading to this tragedy. The woman was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital in Cook County and was declared dead not long after arrival.
Commercial vehicles pose a major threat to pedestrians and other motorists when they are operated in an unsafe manner. The weight of these vehicles makes it impossible to stop quickly in an emergency. Truck drivers are expected to understand the limitations of their vehicles and drive accordingly.
While investigators review this situation for possible further action, the victim’s family is left to deal with their tragic loss. If the driver of this truck had stopped at the stop sign, this terrible accident would never have happened. The driver and his employer should be held accountable for the damage done to this woman and her family. Negligent driving is a threat to us all. By holding negligent drivers accountable, we make the roads safer for all drivers, pedestrians, construction workers and others who are put at risk by unsafe driving practices.
Source: Southtown Star, “Glenwood trucker cited following fatal wheelchair crash,” 12 October 2011