Chicago, IL (August 29, 2022) – Officers with the Chicago Police Department reported that, sometime during the night of Sunday, August 28th, a pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle while crossing at a crosswalk on the city’s Southwest Side.
The incident occurred at around 1:35 a.m. near the 6400 block of South Cicero Avenue, which is in the Clearing neighborhood, according to the police.
Police said a man in his twenties and a teenager were speeding southbound in two different automobiles. The first driver swerved into oncoming traffic shortly thereafter, hitting both a car and a pedestrian.
The pedestrian, a 40-year-old female, was taken to Christ Hospital, where she was declared deceased upon arrival, according to the police. Later, her identity was confirmed as Shawman Meireis by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Police said the driver who hit her was cited for both striking a pedestrian in the street and having an obscured windshield. The Major Accidents Unit is still looking into the collision, so the events immediately preceding and following the accident remain unknown.
Our hearts go out to the loved ones and family members of Shawman Meireis.
Statistics on Deadly Pedestrian Accidents in the Chicago Area
Regrettably, the number of pedestrian deaths across the nation has recently climbed by roughly 36%, despite an overall drop in mortality from other motor vehicle accidents. Illinois is home to some of the country’s most populous and walkable cities, including Chicago, Springfield, and others. Additionally, in these densely populated locations, pedestrians are at a higher risk of being killed or seriously injured while navigating the busy, high-traffic highways.
The number of pedestrian deaths in Cook County, Illinois, is the highest in the state. At least 120 pedestrian deaths, a five-year high, were recorded in Cook County in 2019.
The tragic aftermath of a terrible event may leave victims feeling helpless in the face of their continued physical pain, intense emotional distress, and/or overwhelming financial obligations. Sadly, many pedestrian accident victims don’t survive their injuries, and their loved ones must cope with the grief of losing a family member and the financial hardship of paying for a funeral.
If you or a loved one were harmed or killed in a pedestrian accident, you might be able to take legal action. After consulting with a Chicago automobile accident attorney, you may be entitled to full and reasonable monetary compensation.
The Illinois Wrongful Death Act allows victims of car accidents caused by another driver’s carelessness or recklessness to sue for damages. If a claim is successful, damages are awarded to the plaintiff’s dependents and family members.
Thus, family members should consult with an Illinois accident attorney as soon as one of these incidents occurs. The D&W Law Group will do all in its power to ensure that you get the maximum compensation to which you are entitled in the case of the loss of a loved one or injury sustained in a preventable accident.
In our firm’s opinion, no member of the victim’s family should ever have to pay for damages caused by another driver’s carelessness. If you contact our skilled legal team, we will serve as your only point of contact and meticulously prepare a claim for your accident.
For a no-cost, tailored consultation, contact the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888. Our Chicago personal injury attorneys are prepared to evaluate your case and take swift action to ensure you get fair compensation. You should contact us immediately if you want the justice and compensation to which you are entitled.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources, including news reports, police accident reports, social media posts, and sometimes eyewitness accounts, to compose these posts. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident, therefore, if you locate any information that is not correct, please let us know right away. We will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request.
Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, always seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene.