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Family of 18-Wheeler Truck Driver Who Crashed Through CTA Station in Chicago?s Chinatown Sues Chicago Police for Wrongful Death

In Illinois, the family of the driver who crashed his semi-truck into a Red Line station in Chicago?s Chinatown last year, injuring 21 people and killing 2 others, is suing the Chicago police for failing to give Donald Wells the medical treatment he required. Well?s wife Darlene says her husband suffered from a mental condition that caused him to experienced serious psychiatric and physical pain during the time he was in police custody for 48 hours following the accident.

He died last June due to multiple organ failure and pneumonia. Now, her Chicago wrongful death lawsuit is accusing the City of Chicago and a number of its police officers of playing a role in his death because of their indifference.

The 64-year-old was not intoxicated or under the influence of drugs when the deadly accident happened on April 25. Witnesses report seeing Wells bent over the steering wheel, as if he were asleep or had a heart attack, right before the deadly accident.

Wells was cited for negligent driving because of his involvement in causing the deadly crash. Soon after he was released from police custody, he was admitted to a local hospital.

Chicago police officers must provide civilians with a certain duty of care. When failure to provide that care leads to injury or death, the victims and/or their families may have grounds to file an Illinois personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Reasons why someone might sue a police officer for wrongful death:

? Excessive use of force
? Taser-related death
? Failure to provide someone with the necessary help
? High-speed chase injury or death caused by police negligence
? Civil rights violations
? Police misconduct
? Sexual assault

Lawsuit: Cops refused to help driver in CTA crash, Chicago Breaking News, February 25, 2009

1 injured in crash, including driver, ABC, April 25, 2008

The truck driver whose semi smashed into a CTA station in April died, ABC, June 16, 2009

Related Web Resources:
City of Chicago

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on February 25, 2009 (boomark / email).