Geneva Car Accident Injures Driver and Passenger; Drowsy Driving Suspected

We've all heard the warnings about drowsy driving. If you are driving late at night and/or over longer distances, you should be aware that your chances of falling asleep at the wheel increase dramatically - as do your odds of being involved in an auto accident. However, it is important to remember that drowsy driving can happen anywhere, anytime, and in any conditions - even on sidestreets during the late morning hours.

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Authorities in Kane County believe that drowsy driving played a role in a single-vehicle collision in Geneva last week. On Friday around 10:30am, a Chevrolet Cavalier driven by a 20-year old Geneva woman traveled west on Dodson Street, ran a stop sign at Bennett Street, crossed completely through the intersection, and slammed into a tree just south of Bennett Park (which borders the Fox River).

The driver and the passenger, a 22-year old Batavia woman, both had to be extricated from the vehicle after its roof was torn off by rescuers. The 22-year old remains in critical condition at a Downers Grove hospital. Police are saying that the driver fell asleep at the wheel and the passenger was trying to wake her up when the car ran off the road. There is no evidence that alcohol or drugs were involved, but the 20-year old was cited for running a stop sign.

Based on the information available, it appears that the Geneva woman is fully responsible for the auto accident - and, by extension, the injuries suffered by her passenger. If she chooses to do so, the Batavia woman could file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver in order to receive both reimbursement for her medical bills and compensation for lost time at work. Such a suit could also allow the victim to collect damages for pain and suffering and mental anguish.