A 22-year-old driver who caused the wrongful death of a 17-year-old Frankfort girl was recently sentenced to six months in jail. The Chicago Tribune reports that the man was convicted of aggravated speeding after causing the fatal car accident while traveling 76 mph in a 40-mph zone. The Orland Park accident happened one week after the teen graduated and one week before she was to turn 18.
This accident has resulted in “Julie’s Law,” which imposes tougher consequences for speeders. The law will take effect next summer and ban judges from sentencing speeders to probation if they are traveling over 25 mph above the speed limit or 30 mph above the speed limit on the highway.
Reports indicate that the young man had at least seven tickets at the time of the accident, all of which resulted in “court supervision” – a form of probation. Under the new law some of the man’s supervisions would have been convictions and he likely would not have had driving privileges at the time of the accident.
The teen’s family says that the man’s apology was insincere and that he has failed to take responsibility for his reckless behavior. The man has also received a speeding ticket since the fatal crash which is a sign of his lack of remorse.
“I think he thinks he’s not guilty,” the deceased teen’s mother said. “I would hope he would take this tragedy and make something good happen, like we did.”
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