A pedestrian has died twelve days after being struck by a motor vehicle making a left-hand turn in the West Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, authorities say.
Humboldt Park Man Fatally Struck
On the afternoon of November 18, 2017, 62-year-old Johnnie L. Osborne was crossing Loomis Boulevard when a 34-year-old woman driving a 2012 Buick made a left-hand turn from 74th Street. She then struck Mr. Osborne, according to the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mr. Osborne, a resident of the Humboldt Park neighborhood, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. He died twelve days later from his injuries.
The driver of the Buick received a citation for failure to exercise due care with a pedestrian in the roadway.
The Dangers of Left-Hand Turns
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, left-hand turns are involved in 22.2% of traffic crashes. Approximately 61% of crashes that take place while turning or crossing an intersection involved a left-hand turn.
Left-hand turns are especially dangerous for pedestrians. In a recent study, CNN reported that left-hand turns are three times more likely to kill pedestrians than right-hand turns – and pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles at an alarming rate.
Pedestrians Increasingly at Risk
In 2015 alone, there were an estimated 70,000 pedestrians injured and 5,376 pedestrians killed in the United States. On average, a pedestrian was injured every 7.5 minutes and killed every 1.6 hours in traffic crashes.
150 of those pedestrians were killed in accidents across Illinois, bringing the total to 18 percent more than 2014. Almost one-third of these deaths occurred in Chicago, where the city’s pedestrian fatality rate increased 31 percent from the previous year.
Although anyone can be struck by a motor vehicle, pedestrian collisions often happen to the most vulnerable. A child on the way home from school may be hit by a car. An elderly person may be struck by a truck while trying to cross a busy street. Even at low speeds, the impact of thousands of pounds of metal can cause catastrophic injuries.
Illinois Pedestrian Accidents Attorneys
Have you been struck by a motor vehicle? If so, you need an experienced and dedicated attorney to fight for you. The Illinois pedestrian accidents attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers are an excellent choice because they have decades of experience bringing justice in cases exactly like this.
With more than $2 BILLION successfully recovered for our clients, the attorneys at GWC can provide the experience and determination to fight for the justice that you deserve.
If you or your loved one has been injured, please contact GWC today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with one of our representatives.
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