An I-80 wrong-way crash in Will County left three people dead on Labor Day, according to a statement from the Illinois State Police.
I-80 Wrong-Way Crash Near Mokena
The fatal I-80 wrong-way crash took place on the early morning of September 6, 2021. Shortly after midnight, a 2011 Kia Optima was reportedly traveling east in the westbound lanes of I-80, just past Wolf Road near Mokena, IL. The Kia then collided head on with a westbound 2019 Nissan Versa.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly afterwards to find that both drivers and a passenger had been killed in the 1-80 wrong-way crash. The Kia’s driver was identified as 28-year-old Rishaunda Buckley of Chicago. 30-year-old Amanda Fouche of Aurora was the driver of the Nissan. Her passenger was 36-year-old Kyle Vance of Aurora.
The westbound lanes of I-80 were closed for approximately four hours while the Illinois State Police conducted an investigation. They did not immediately provide information about how the I-80 wrong-way crash occurred. At this time, no car accident attorneys are believed to have filed suit in this matter.
Wrong-Way Crashes Often Deadlier
Collisions in which one vehicle hits with another while traveling in the opposite direction of traffic are relatively rare. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that wrong-way crashes account for only about three percent of all collisions. However, though wrong-way crashes are less common, they are deadlier than other types of traffic accidents, as may be seen in the tragic case of the I-80 wrong-way crash.
Approximately 355 people die in wrong-way crashes in the United States each year. There are an estimated 1.34 deaths for each fatal wrong-way crash, compared to 1.10 deaths for other types of deadly collisions – a mortality rate that is nearly 22 percent higher.
Wrong-way crashes are deadlier because they are head-on collisions in most cases, which means that the relative speed of the vehicles involved is significantly greater. For example, the impact of a head-on collision between two vehicles traveling at 50 miles per hour is equal to the impact of one vehicle crashing into a stationary object at 100 miles per hour, with similarly devastating results.
Fighting for Wrong-Way Crash Victims
Even when a wrong-way crash is not fatal, a driver or a passenger may still sustain catastrophic injuries that can quickly bring a family to the brink of financial ruin. If you are the innocent victim of a wrong-way crash, it is important to seek legal counsel that can help maximize the amount of possible compensation for your injuries – the kind of counsel you would receive from the knowledgeable car accident attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers LLC.
With more than $2 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, GWC is one of the premier Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. No other plaintiff firm in the state is more respected – or more feared – by defense attorneys and insurance companies. Our car accident attorneys have the experience, the determination, the resources, and the reputation you need to get you and your family the justice you deserve.
Contact GWC today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated car accident attorneys. You may call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.
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