The family of an Uber driver killed by a machete- and knife-wielding teen in the north suburbs has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Walmart, from whose store the teen allegedly stole the weapons. Allied Universal and Monterrey Security Consultants, two contractors responsible for store security, were also listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
On May 30, 2017, at approximately 3:00 a.m., 16-year-old Eliza Wasni allegedly left a Skokie Walmart store with an 18-inch machete and a 5-inch hunting knife stolen from a display counter. Though two Walmart employees were standing near the exit doors, the lawsuit alleges, Ms. Wasni passed both of them with the items and was not stopped, questioned, or asked to show a receipt.
Uber Driver Killed
After leaving the store, Ms. Wasni ordered an Uber. The driver, 34-year-old Grant Nelson of Wilmette, picked Ms. Wasni up and began taking her to Lincolnwood. Within minutes, Ms. Wasni allegedly began hacking and stabbing Mr. Nelson with the blades.
Mr. Nelson was able to exit the vehicle and flee to a nearby condominium building where he sought help. Though wounded, he relayed to police that he was stabbed by a female passenger, whom he described. Mr. Nelson was taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital, where he later died.
Police located Ms. Wasni shortly after the attack behind a nearby building with the machete and the knife. They noted that she matched the description Mr. Nelson gave them. Ms. Wasni was arrested and subsequently charged as an adult with first-degree murder. She is currently being held without bond in a juvenile detention facility. No motive for the attack has been given.
On June 27, 2017, Christina Nelson, Mr. Nelson’s mother, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of his estate in Cook County Circuit Court. The lawsuit names Walmart, Allied Universal, which provided an employee stationed at the store’s exit whose job it was to monitor people leaving the store, and Monterrey Security Consultants, which provided on-site security staff, as defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that the parties were negligent because they failed to check a customer leaving the store for receipts, allowed Ms. Wasni unrestrained access to dangerous items, and did not monitor her as she left. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In the event of a person being fatally injured due to the misconduct of another individual or as a result of a dangerous or defective product malfunctioning, the families and heirs of the deceased may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit against those who may have been responsible for the death.
With more than 2 BILLION dollars having been successfully recovered by our attorneys for our clients, the wrongful death lawyers at GWC Injury Lawyers can provide the experience and determination to fight for the justice that you deserve.
If your loved one has suffered a wrongful death or been injured, please contact our office for a free legal consultation to see if you may be eligible for financial compensation for your injuries. Call us 24/7 at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with one of our representatives today.
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