Wrong-Way Driver in Double-Fatal Crash in Belleville, IL

By Zane T. Cagle | July 10, 2017 | Car Accidents, Drunk Driving, Featured, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death

Head-On Crash, Belleville, Illinois

A 911 call to the Belleville police came in at 12:44 a.m. on Saturday morning regarding a pick-up going the wrong way on Illinois 15.

Just minutes later, police got another call about a head-on crash.

A 54 year-old New Athens man was driving the wrong way on Illinois 15 when he crashed head-on into a Kia Forte sedan of two Belleville gentleman, ages 36 and 37, fatally injuring both. While, the driver has been arrested four times on DUI charges since 2000, the most recent being in October 2016; it is unknown at this time if alcohol was a factor in the wrong-way crash.

While the New Athens driver may have had numerous drunk driving arrests, it is important to remember that arrests do not always result in convictions. Revocation of a driver’s license is based on convictions rather than arrests.

However, if in fact, the driver was driving of the influence resulting in the fatal crash, there may be criminal charges.

Investigation Continues

Investigators will want to determine all factors that led up to the fatal crash. Even if the New Athens man was sober, family members of those killed have potential wrongful death claims as driving the wrong-way on a highway is negligent behavior. Of course, if alcohol was involved, the situation

Decision Making and Responsibility

We all make decisions while driving. If you climb behind the wheel after you have been drinking, then you are making a bad decision, but a decision nonetheless. In many scenarios, you are not the only one impacted by your bad decision. If you’ve driven while under the influence, you’ve probably only thought how about how lucky you were to have avoided a DUI. Though, a much bigger issue than a DUI is when a decision you make impacts others. In every alcohol-related death, they are beyond tragic and wasteful as those crashes are avoidable and can should be prevented.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else,

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another person, you will need an attorney. If you are not injured, then honestly, you probably don’t need an attorney. It is always smarter to contact an attorney earlier than later to help you avoid the most common mistakes people make after a car crash.

If you have questions, we have answers at The Cagle Law Firm.

Our Attorneys are available seven days a week (314) 276-1681

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.

View all posts by Zane T. Cagle →