Fiery accident in Champaign results in 5 injury victims
On behalf of of Frederick & Hagle posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, December 6, 2012.
Last night, a shocking scene played out on Interstate 57 in Champaign, Illinois, shortly before 10 p.m. When emergency responders entered the scene there was two impacted vehicles, one vehicle sustained heavy damage and the other was on flames. Consequently, multiple parties were issued citations and five victims were transported to the hospital for medical treatment of their injuries.
Reportedly, a 66-year-old man driving two passengers pulled to the shoulder of the interstate, likely due to car troubles. The man was pulling back onto the interstate from the shoulder when the second vehicle, driven by a 41-year-old man with two passengers, careened into the back of the van.
At that point is when the van caught fire and emergency responders were called in. The driver of the van and both of his passengers, as well as the passengers in the other vehicle were transported to Carle Foundation Hospital for injuries they sustained on impact. The driver of the vehicle that smashed into the van was uninjured, but was arrested at the scene because he was intoxicated.
Abstaining from drinking and driving is an incredibly easy way to prevent an accident. Not only is drunk driving dangerous and illegal, it is very likely to result in consequences. This drunk driver is now facing charges of DUI and other traffic related infractions. The driver of the van was cited for failing to yield while merging. Thankfully, it does appear that no one was seriously injured in this accident and all are expected to recover.
Drunk driving is an act of negligence that not only means that the individual could face criminal consequences, but it also means that the driver could be held financially liable for injuries or deaths to victims that result from drunk driving accidents.
Source: The News-Gazette, “I-57 crash injures five; both drivers cited,” Mary Schenk, Dec. 6, 2012
- Our firm has experience handling similar cases. For more information, please visit our Champaign drunk driving accident page.
