Four teenagers were killed in a grisly car accident on Saturday, 17h July 2021, in Hickory Hills. Six teenagers aged 15 to 17 were traveling in the car when it hit a tree and split into two. Two of the passengers died on the spot while two others died later due to serious injuries. Judging from the impact, neighbors observed that the car must have been speeding. Hickory Hills police subsequently charged the 17-year old driver with reckless murder and issued him with a driver’s ticket.
A somber mood engulfed the southern suburbs of Hickory Hills as the residents came to terms with the tragedy. All the victims were from southwest suburban Justice. Neighbors performed a balloon release and held a candlelit vigil in honor of the victims. A monument was also erected in memory of the four victims and to act as a reminder of the sheer number of young people who lose their lives on the road.
The Dangers of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving can involve speeding, driving under the influence, and distracted driving.
Speeding
According to the NHTSA, speeding has contributed to about a third of all motor-vehicle-related fatalities over the past two decades. Speeding endangers driver and passenger safety because it increases the risk of accidents during bad weather or while navigating tricky road sections. This is why the NHTSA imposes speed limits to protect all road users.
Speeding not only violates the law but also has several grave consequences for the driver and the passengers. Some of the risks posed by speeding include:
• Reduced effectiveness of protection equipment
• High risk of loss of vehicle control
• Increased stopping distance during emergencies
• Increased degree of crash severity leading to serious injuries and fatalities
• Adverse economic implications of a speeding-related accident or crash
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any action that diverts the driver’s attention and includes talking, using phones, fiddling with the entertainment or navigation system and eating or drinking. NHTSA statistics indicate that distracted driving contributed to 3,142 fatalities in 2019. Texting and talking on the phone is by far the riskiest form of distraction because it is like driving while blindfolded.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is the leading cause of traffic-based fatalities in the US, with 28 people dying every day in drunk-driving crashes. Alcohol reduces the driver’s decision-making abilities by impairing thinking, reaction time and muscle coordination. All US states have a blood alcohol limit, but even small amounts of alcohol can reduce driving ability. The best practice is to drive while sober.
Need For Safety Education
Motor vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Teen drivers are almost three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers aged 20 and above. Most accidents are preventable.
Parents need to educate their children about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving. The NHTSA provides several resources that parents can use to educate their children about safe driving.
Parents should advise teenagers to comply with speed limits, avoid distractions while driving and avoid driving under the influence. Parents should warn them of the consequences of reckless driving, including accidents, legal sanctions, imprisonment, disabling injuries, and deaths.
Disparti Law Group Sympathizes with The Victims
Disparti Law Group is representing one of the families of the teens killed in the crash and deeply sympathizes with all the victims’ families and the larger Justice community. Larry Disparti, owner of Disparti Law Group, would like to express his sincere condolences to the families affected by the tragic accident.
Larry Disparti and his team of experienced attorneys have won over one billion in recoveries for clients. Disparti Law Group is among the most highly regarded law firms in the greater Chicago area. Contact us for a free consultation.
