Driver who struck construction worker facing DUI, other charges

On Behalf of | May 7, 2019 | Workers' Compensation |

As we’ve discussed here before, construction workers whose jobs put them on Illinois’ roads have among the most dangerous lines of work around. Aside from the risks that all construction workers face, they’re also at the mercy of drivers who may be under the influence, distracted or simply frustrated that the road work is interfering with their ability to get where they’re going on time.

Last month, a worker was struck and injured by a driver in a construction zone on River Road near Rosemont. He was hospitalized, but the lower extremity injuries he suffered were not life-threatening.

The 29-year-old driver is facing multiple charges involving DUI as well as fleeing the scene and law enforcement. He’s also been charged under Scott’s Law (also known as the “Move Over” law). It was named after a lieutenant with the Chicago Fire Department who was killed by a drunk driver as he assisted at a crash scene on the Dan Ryan Expressway. The law requires drivers who encounter an emergency situation to reduce their speed, change lanes if they can and proceed with caution.

The crash occurred shortly after midnight on April 24. According to Rosemont police, the driver was traveling over 60 miles per hour in a 35-mph construction zone. They say he struck the worker as well as multiple construction vehicles.

When police attempted to pull the driver over, they say he continued driving and proceeded to Interstate 190. It wasn’t reported how they finally got him to stop. However, he was hospitalized with nonlife-threatening injuries. His bond is $100,000.

Even injuries that aren’t severe can keep a person in a field like construction out of work for a significant period. They can even prevent them from doing any type of physical labor again. It’s essential that injured construction workers ensure that they get the workers’ compensation and other benefits they’re entitled to in order to support themselves and their families as they heal and move on with their lives.

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