Thursday's wreck in Peotone Township leaves two dead, including Aurora woman
PEOTONE, IL, (September 27, 2024) - Two people lost their lives in a head-on collision along Wilmington-Peotone Road in Peotone Township Thursday morning, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.
(GoFundMe: Stacy Martinez)Stacy Martinez, a 24-year-old resident of Aurora, was fatally injured in a two-vehicle collision along Wilmington-Peotone Road Thursday morning, the Sheriff's Office said in a release.
The deadly crash happened between South 104th Avenue and South Center Road.
A preliminary investigation found that a Dodge Grand Caravan driven by an 82-year-old was traveling westbound on Wilmington-Peotone around 11 a.m. when the driver reportedly veered into the oncoming lane, hitting a Chevy Spark driven by 24-year-old Stacy Martinez of Aurora. The driver of the Dodge died at the scene, police said.
Tragically, Martinez succumbed to injuries at a Chicago hospital a few days later. A GoFundMe page has been created to help the young woman’s family.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was the primary cause of fatal crashes in 2018, followed by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication; failure to stay in the proper lane; failure to yield the right of way; and distracted driving.
While the cause and liability of the crash are being investigated, Candice Bond, an experienced accident attorney and Managing Partner of Bond Legal, said that it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney.
“Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable for their actions,” Bond added.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of Stacy Martinez may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Bond, a national analyst for Newsline.
“If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”
Have you been in a similar accident and need help? Speak to Newsline's national legal analyst Candice Bond now free of charge for a no-obligation consultation
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. 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).