Bartonville Man Dies After 18-Wheeler Runs Red Light, Crashes Into Vehicle

Though every motorist is required by law to stop at a red light, the consequences of failing to do so tend to radically differ depending on the type of the offending vehicle. If a motorcycle or a scooter runs a red light, only pedestrians and bicyclists are in real danger of being injured or killed. If a passenger vehicle runs a red light, it can certainly lead to casualties; but if other cars are hit, their safety features increase the odds of survival for their occupants.

But when a tractor-trailer runs a red light and causes a collision, death is the most likely outcome - no matter who or what the truck hits.

So when a semi truck ran a red light in Peoria County in October, the results were predictably tragic. The fatal trucking accident happened in the village of Bartonville, which is just off I-474 southwest of Peoria. According to Illinois State Police, a 39-year old Bushnell man driving a tractor trailer northbound on U.S. Route 24 failed to stop at a red light at McClure Avenue on October 14. A 70-year old man was driving east on McClure when the 18-wheeler crashed into his vehicle, pushing it north until it slammed into a large pole. The elderly man was subsequently pronounced dead. State Police ticketed the truck driver for failing to observe a traffic signal (as well as being overweight on axle).

The heirs of the victim appear to have solid grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit against both the semi driver and the company which employs him (unless he is an independent contractor). If the Bartonville man was still employed, his family could receive any lost future wages he might have earned throughout the remainder of his lifetime. In addition to reimbursement of burial expenses, the heirs might also receive damages for loss of care and companionship or mental anguish.