Man riding electric bicycle struck along County Road 218 on Aug. 12
RANDOLPH, IL, (August 12, 2024) - The Randolph County Sheriff's Office says a 32-year-old man lost his life on Aug. 12 in a hit-and-run accident outside of Sparta.
Christopher Barnes was fatally injured on Aug. 12 when the electric bicycle he was riding was struck by a hit-and-run motorist along County Road 218 in Randolph County.
According to authorities, Christopher Barnes was riding an electric bicycle along County Road 218 when he was struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Tragically, Barnes died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Authorities say they located a vehicle thought to be involved and have identified a suspect. Additional details on the incident and any potential charges were not immediately known.
FATAL ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
In most cases involving hit-and-runs, the at-fault drivers feel they can avoid the consequences of their actions if they leave the scene. However, a suspect will face charges when apprehended.
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, but sadly statistics indicate that more than one hit-and-run crash occurs every minute on U.S. roads.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said in such cases it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney promptly to protect the rights of a victim.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Bond.
These procedures are necessary for helping someone who has lost a loved one at the hands of a hit-and-run driver receive the justice and monetary compensation they deserve.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Christopher Barnes may be entitled to a wrongful death claim for funeral expenses, the loss of love and companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in death,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”
If your loved one has been killed by a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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