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| Intersection of Weller Lane and Central Road in Mount Prospect, Illinois |
Another bicyclist in the Chicagoland area has lost their life as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle. The most recent collision occurred in Mount Prospect. Last Thursday, Joni Beaudry, a 55-year old mother
of five, was riding her bicycle northbound on the sidewalk along Weller Lane approaching the intersection with Central Road in Mount Prospect. This is just to the south of Melas Park in Mount Prospect. Melas Park is well known in the bicycle community as the location of one of the races in the Chicago Cyclocross Cup.
According to news reports, after
Ms. Beaudry activated the crossing signal and waited for the cars in the
eastbound curb lane to stop, she began to cross north on Central Road in the marked crosswalk. At the same time, a Lexus SUV
in the eastbound median lane did not stop and struck Ms. Beaudry while she was
in the cross-walk. While she was
transported to the hospital, she died later that day as a result of the trauma
sustained in the accident.
The driver of the Lexus was issued traffic
citations for failure to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk and failure to
reduce speed to avoid an accident. Section
5/11-904(b) of the Illinois Vehicle Code imposes a requirement on drivers to
come to a complete stop before entering a crosswalk at an intersection,
stating,
“Whenever
stop signs or flashing red signals are in place at an intersection or at a
plainly marked crosswalk between intersections, drivers shall yield
right-of-way to pedestrians as set forth in Section 11-904 of this Chapter.”
Ms. Beaudry fell squarely into the category of
individuals protected by this provision, as Section 5/11-1512(c) of the
Illinois Code specifically states,
“A person
propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and
along a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a
pedestrian under the same circumstances.”
This is a tragic loss of a
life as a result of a mistake by the operator of the SUV. Whether the deceased
was a bicyclist, or it was anyone else crossing the street by foot or bicycle,
a motorist has the responsibility to make sure that the cross-walk is clear
before entering the intersection. Instead, a mother of five has lost her life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Keating Law Offices is the premier personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. Keating Law Offices is the premier law firm in Illinois that represents victims of bicycle accidents and crashes. Attorney Michael S. Keating is the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the National Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice. The firm is nationally renowned for its experience in handling cases stemming from injuries or wrongful deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.
The firm is based in
Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. If you have any
questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law,
please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office)
or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around
the clock. You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial
consultations are confidential and free.
