Category Archives: DUI

Drunk Illinois Driver Causes Crash, Injures 12

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A Morton, Illinois man was arrested after allegedly drinking and driving and causing a car crash that injured 12 other motorists. The  car crash that sent 12 people to area hospitals occurred on Sept. 16

Jesse A. Horn, 23, of 119 E. Hazelwood St., Morton, was coming from the Morton Pumpkin Festival, where, according to court records, he was doing community service hours for a past DUI conviction.was charged with five felony counts by the Tazewell County State’s Attorney Thursday: unlawful possession of a converted vehicle, a Class 2 felony; three counts of aggravated driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs resulting in an accident causing great bodily harm, a Class 4 felony; and driving on a suspended driver’s license, subsequent felony offense, a Class 4 felony.

At the hospital after the accident, Horn was issued citations for DUI, reckless driving and driving on a suspended driver’s license. Those tickets were dropped so that the state could charge him with the felony counts, said Umholtz.

Umholtz said the Pumpkin Festival organizers are in no way to blame for the accident. He said Horn allegedly took the truck, loaned by Mike Murphy Ford in Morton to the festival committee, without permission.

Witnesses said that Horn was driving eastbound in the westbound lane when he encountered a Toyota truck waiting to turn onto Durant Street. As Horn was trying to get back into the eastbound lane and a Jeep was coming toward him in the westbound lane, the front of Horn’s vehicle hit the Toyota and the back of his vehicle hit the Jeep, which went into a spin and went into a cornfield on the south side of Route 150.

According to court records, injuries to some victims were serious. One man’s arm was broken in three places and required surgery to install pins to repair it. Another victim suffered rib and vertebrae fractures.

Click here, to read the complete story.

This was an unfortunate incident, and I think everyone involved and their families should count their blessings that no one died.

Should you or someone you know become involved in a car accident or trucking accident, then call attorney Aaron J. Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

 

Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders Urge Safe Driving Over Halloween Weekend

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The Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders (ITSL) recently posted an article discussing the for drivers and pedestrians over Halloween and what can be done to keep you and your family safe.

The ITSL reported that  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 pm Oct. 31 to 5:59 am Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state.

“One foolish decision can turn a fun Halloween into a real-life horror story,” said ITSL Vice-President
Mike Rompala.  “There are simple precautions partygoers can take such as designating a sober driver in
advance or taking a taxi.”

ITSL also recommends these simple tips:        
        Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
        Before drinking,  please designate a sober driver;
        If you’re impaired, and haven’t designated a sober driver, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family      
member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
        Use your community’s Sober Rides program
        If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement

If you or someone you know is involved in a car accident or truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

Granite City Man Given Maximum Sentence For DUI That Lead To Deadly Crash

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A Granite City, Illinois man received the maximum prison sentence after being charged with his Sixth DUI that resulted in the deaths of a Granite City couple and their unborn child. Donald Canterbery received 28 years in prison after pleading guilty aggravated drunk driving and related charges.

Canterbery’s blood-alcohol rate was 0.246 percent, which is more than three times the threshold for a drunken-driving charge in Illinois.  According to an accident reconstruction report, police calculated Canterbery’s 2006 Corvette was traveling 151 mph four seconds before the crash and 91 mph when it hit the rear of Arnold-Zimmer’s Hyundai. The wreck happened on Illinois 111 just north of Interstate 55.

Canterbery had five prior arrests for driving under the influence. When given a chance to make a statement in court, he declined. Since the crash, he’s been held in the Madison County Jail on $1 million bail. According to the licensed bail bonds services, he will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, State’s Attorney Bill Mudge said.

“Twenty-eight years in the maximum sentence in this case. I am grateful that this came to a speedy conclusion, saving the families further heartache and grief that comes with a trial,” Mudge said.

Kristi Hosea, a victim-services specialist with Illinois Mothers Against Drunk Driving, attended the hearing Tuesday.

“MADD’s very pleased to see the maximum sentence come out of Madison County and we hope it sends the message that drunk driving will not be tolerated,” Hosea said.

To read the complete story reported by BND.Com, click here.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

IDOT Reports That Late-Night Driving Is The Deadliest Time On Illinois Roadways.

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The Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced that drinking and driving and low seatbelt use leads to higher accident rates late at night. Nearly seven out of ten fatalities occurring between midnight and 3 a.m. involve a drinking driver, and less than three out of ten of those who died in crashes during this time were properly restrained by a safety belt.  The picture is completely different during the higher-traffic, daytime hours with less than two out of ten fatalities involving alcohol and nearly six out of ten properly restrained. 

“Drinking and driving is inappropriate regardless of the time of day,” said Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Data tells us the likelihood of being involved in a crash or fatal crash where alcohol is involved increases dramatically at night.  Therefore, the Illinois State Police will focus our efforts on DUI and seat belt enforcement during night time details.”

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. time frame is the deadliest time on Illinois roads.  For the last four years (2005-2008) in Illinois, more motor vehicle fatalities occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. than any other time of day.  Fatalities occurring from 9 p.m. to midnight were close behind.

Not coincidentally, the data also shows late night hours have by far the highest percentage of alcohol involvement.  For the last four years (2005-2008), 67 percent of the motor vehicle fatalities occurring from midnight to 3 a.m. involved a drinking driver.

Equally troubling during the nighttime hours is the fact that motorists buckle up at a much lower rate.  Data shows for the years 2005-2008, the midnight to 3 a.m. and the 3 a.m.-6 a.m. time frame had the lowest belt use involving motor vehicle fatalities with only 27 percent of those who died in crashes properly restrained.  The 9 p.m. to midnight timeframe was second worst with only 32 percent of those who died were properly restrained.

Remember to keep your wits about you when driving late at night as the data clearly show that there are far more drunk drivers on the road. And, of course, always buckle up no matter what time of day.

Contact attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 if you or someone you know has been involved in a vehicle accident.