Two people were killed in an early morning wrong-way crash in Rolling Meadows on Tuesday, July 19.
According to Illinois State Police, a yellow vehicle was traveling south in the northbound lanes of Route 53 just south of Euclid Avenue just after 4:00 a.m. when it struck two other vehicles, including a taxi.
The driver of the first hit vehicle was uninjured. The car was clipped by the wrong-way vehicle, which deployed the airbags in the vehicle. Fortunately, the man was wearing his seatbelt and was spared injury.
After striking the first vehicle, the wrong-way driver continued on the highway before striking a taxi cab, killing both himself and the 64-year-old taxi driver.
The taxi driver was pronounced dead at the accident scene, and the wrong-way driver was transported to Northwest Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after the accident.
According to American Taxi Dispatch, the taxi driver was not working when the crash occurred, and no customers were in the vehicle. A company representative speculated that he was going fishing when the accident occurred; the 64-year-old taxi driver was an avid fisherman and family man.
Accident witnesses have described the crash as violent. Some said that the wrong-way driver didn’t appear to be looking for a way to turn around, as if the driver felt he was headed in the right direction. Additional witnesses say the wrong-way driver came very close to their vehicles as well. One man says that vehicle’s side mirror was just inches from his own.
State police officers are currently investigating the accident; it is unknown whether alcohol is considered a factor.
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. The attorneys of GWC Injury Lawyers will fight for maximized compensation for your family.
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