In this wrongful death case in Cook County, Illinois, a 27-year old private contractor was working on a road surface on an Illinois Tollway testing reflective lane markings on I-294 when a semi-truck owned by the defendant violently rear-ended the Tollway truck that was protecting him, pushing the Tollway truck into the plaintiff killing him.
The plaintiff was a newlywed with a 25-year old wife who was 3-months pregnant. A witness, who happened to be another 18-wheeler driver behind the defendant, testified that the defendant driver never slowed or swerved before crushing the Tollway truck. He also told the jury that the left lanes were free and clear, so the accident was entirely avoidable.
The defendant admitted negligence, but contended that Illinois Tollway was also negligent in the accident for not protecting the plaintiff’s decedent. Illinois Tollway denied any negligence in this case. After a trial that lasted 6 days, the jury found the defendant and their semi-truck driver at fault. The jury found Illinois Tollway not guilty.
