Driver in Fatal Wrong-Way I-64 Crash Charged

By Zane T. Cagle | October 26, 2018 | Bus Accidents, Drunk Driving, Featured, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Wrong-Way Driver on Interstate 64 in January 2018 Crash

In mid-October, an O’Fallon man turned himself in to police in connection with a wrong-way collision nine months ago that killed a St. Louis woman.

On January 21, 2018, at approximately 7 a.m., a 56 year-old woman was killed in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 64 when a suspected intoxicated driver hit her head-on. Illinois State Troopers worked the crash on I-64 westbound lane near Kinsghighway in Washington Park. The driver, age 29, collided head-on with the woman’s vehicle when he was travleling eastbound in the westbound lane of Interstate 64. The woman died at the scene.

The 29 year-old driver was suspected of driving under the influence and was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Now, he faces one count of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of reckless homicide according to Illinois State Police Trooper Calvin Dye, Jr.

How Much Do You Know About DUI”s?

Driving under the influence is always a bad idea. In the above scenario, there was a fatality and the alleged drunk driver was seriously injured. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and make poor driving decisions. Bad decisions such as failing to yield to stop signs causing intersection crashes or becoming confused and entering interstates through exits. When a driver is going the wrong way down an interstate and a crash ensues, it is always serious if not fatal. If ever faced with someone coming right at you in traffic head-on, panic is one’s first reaction. Do you go to the right or to the left? How do you out-guess the other driver coming at you in the wrong lane?!!

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are considered to be one of the most dangerous types of crashes. Two vehicle strike one another from the front and the impact is focused on the front-seat passengers in both vehicles. Additionally, the force and momentum with which the vehicles collide is the combined force of both vehicles. On interstates and highways, vehicle generally travel between 50-90 miles per hour, thus the combined force when vehicles collide can be equal to twice the speed. In these scenarios, few people walk away even when they are wearing seat belts. Common causes of head-on collisions include: drunk driving, drowsy driving distracted driving, speeding or unsafe passing on two-lane roadways. When interstates are involved, one has to question how a driver ends up going the wrong direction on a one-way roadway. The answer if frequently due to driving under the influence. It is tragic and avoidable.

Wrongful Death Compensation

Unexpected loss of a parent, spouse or child is devastating. Beyond the psychological trauma of the loss is the financial loss. The decedent may have been the primary income in the family or may have contributed significantly to sustaining the family. But the loss of their financial compensation is generally the least of the loss. An attorney can assist in helping your family recover medical cost, funeral costs, loss of financial income, loss of care and support, loss of love and companionship and loss of inheritance. Ultimately, recover of these losses never really replaces the lost loved one, but the recovery could make a big difference in how your entire family recovers and seeks to put your lives back together.

St. Louis Car Crash Attorneys, MO and IL

If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle crash and have injuries, or worse, you have lost a loved one; then you need legal representation. In crashes where an impaired driver is involved, you cannot rely on the criminal justice system to provide compensation. Criminal prosecution of the impaired driver involves criminal consequences including fines and jail time. An injured person has to actually pursue a claim through insurance claims and these can get complex if the injuries are severe. Wrongful death claims are not claims that family members should even attempt to tackle on their own. Family members are not mentally equipped for the battle and complex litigation involved. It is not that family members are not “intelligent” or “capable”, but they are not in any frame of mind to pursue a wrongful death claim on their own. In fact, an experienced wrongful death attorney would not be likely to pursue a wrongful death claim of a family member on his or her own—simply for the state of mind that it requires to negotiate with an insurance company regarding a lost family member.

We are available seven days a week for free consultations toll free, 1.800.685.3302 or locally 314.391-5220

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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