Early in January we brought to your attention the case of Richard Bolling, who expert toxicologist Jennifer Bash told jurors she felt Bolling was legally drunk at the time of his May 2009 accident that struck and killed a 13 year old Trenton Booker. Trenton Booker was riding his bicycle on 81st street and Ashland avenue when he was struck. Richard Bolling was off-duty and driving his own Dodge Charger at the time of the accident and sped away from the scene. The Chicago Tribune reports Judge Matthew Coghlan sentenced 42 year-old Bolling to 3 years in prison for his conviction on charges of aggravated DUI, reckless homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Judge Coghlan also ordered Bolling to talk to recruits at the Chicago Police Academy and educate the department on “how to properly handle an investigation into one of your own.” Evidence presented at trial showed that Bolling had received preferential treatment from other officers that night including waiting at least 4 hours to administer a breathalyzer test which determined Bolling was just slightly under the legal limit. Trenton’s mother, Barbara Norman, said she would have preferred a stiffer prison term for Bolling but felt the sentence showed police officers “are not above the law.” Bolling’s supporters, including his father, retired Chicago police Cmdr. Douglas Bolling, as well as his mother and wife, left the courthouse without comments. Accident attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer estimate there are over 1,200 vehicle related fatalities in Illinois. If you or anyone you know has been involved in any accident contact Chicago personal injury attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer P.C for a free personal injury consultation.
“Buckeyballs” Magnets a Threat to Digestive Tract
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-fXPLRUf3s
A 3 year old girl from Oregon is recovering from swallowing 37 high powered magnets. As KPTV reports, after she ate the magnets they formed a dangerous ring inside her digestive tract. As the ring of magnets snapped together so did her intestines and in doing so ripped holes in both her small intestine and her stomach. Kelli Bushnell, Payton Bushnell’s mother, said after seeing an x-ray taken of her daughter and seeing a ring, they initially thought she had swallowed a bracelet. A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says there have been 22 cases of children swallowing magnets since 2009. The New York Times reported that swallowing a single magnet rarely poses problems, swallowing even just two can prove fatal. The Canadian government gives information on a site stating that once someone has swallowed more than one magnet, the magnets can travel through the intestines until they link up. Along the way they can create dangerous blockages and even slowly tear through the intestinal walls. Thankfully Payton Bushnell survived and is expected to make a full recovery. The Centers for Disease Control says accidental injuries are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, beating out disease, birth defects, infections and other illnesses combined. Accidents continue to be our biggest threat until about age 24. If you or a loved one have been injured contact experienced attorneys Zneimer and Zneimer for a free personal injury consultation. Payton’s parents will be keeping a closer eye on their daughter and said they have come forward with their story as a warning for other parents.
Buckeyballs has released a statement on their website;
Child Causes $200,000 worth of Damage
Plainfield police say a 12 year old boy is responsible for 5 area fires that occurred during the Christmas season. The boy originally came forward to police as a witness but investigators decided to keep an eye on him after realizing his story didn’t hold up. Police caught the boy on Monday allegedly breaking into a car. After bringing him into the station the boy confessed to setting the fires. Plainfield Police Chief John Konopek said the boy was motivated to see how big the fires would get. The boy has been in foster care for several years with the same family since his mother died of cancer. The boy is being held for starting five fires on the same block from December to January. Police say the boy entered unlocked cars that were either in the driveway or in attached garages and started the fires with whatever he found inside the vehicles. The boy who has no prior criminal record but now faces five counts of arson, three counts of burglary, and two counts of criminal damage to property. Although there was extensive property damage, there was no personal damage and no one experienced burns because of the fires. If you or someone you know is the victim of a fire and experiences burn injuries it is important that you know your legal rights. Experienced attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer can help you know your legal rights. Call and schedule a free personal injury consultation.
Man Confesses to Killing Woman 4 Years After-the-Fact
20-year old Melissa Lech was killed by a hit and run driver in 2008. Police didn’t have leads as to the identity of the driver of the vehicle that struck and killed Melissa as she was walking on the side of the road. Melissa was returning from a night out with friends. Melissa and her friends were returning from a White-Sox game and had gone into a Joliet sports bar. Since Melissa wasn’t of age she walked home and was struck and left on the side of the road to die. Sunday morning David H. McCarthy, 27, of Naperville showed up at Michelle Lech’s Joliet home and confessed to driving the vehicle that killed Melissa Lech. Michelle Lech is Melissa Lech’s older sister. Joliet police arrested David McCarthy Sunday night. “It appeared he was expecting them,” said Joliet police Cmdr. Brian Benton. McCarthy confessed to killing Lech’s sister at her kitchen table and as he was talking Michelle Lech spoke to her husband in polish and told him to get McCarthy’s license plate number. During the years since 2008 the Lech family offered a reward for any leads and the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup to participate in efforts to find Lech’s killer. It is unfortunate that a young woman would lose her life in such manner. Although McCarthy shouldn’t be regarded as brave, it is a relief that Melissa Lech’s killer was finally caught. If you or anyone you know have been involved in a pedestrian accident contact attorneys at Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for your free personal injury consultation.
TV’s and Dressers: A Danger to Your Children
A 2 year old Aurora girl was hurt in her home over the weekend when a TV fell on top of her. Unfortunately such stories have been in the news much too often recently. The toddler, Aurora police said, had a boxlike TV fall from a bookshelf onto her in the 100 block of South Union Street. The girl’s 18 year old uncle was babysitting her and 3 other children at the time. The uncle was also looking after an 18 month old boy, a 17 month old girl, and a 6 year old boy said Police spokesman Dan Ferrelli. The uncle was looking after the 17 month old in the living room while the other children were in another room. He then heard a loud noise and went to check on the children, he found the 2 year old lying under a 20 inch TV. The TV was on top of a cabinet and was not bolted to the wall. The girl was taken to an area hospital around 2:50 p.m. and was later airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Thankfully the hospital determined she had no fractures and her injuries were not life threatening. Police do not suspect foul play and will not charge the uncle. Thankfully this child was not seriously hurt but it’s an incident that has become too common. Although accidents such as these are preventable victims should take the time to learn their legal rights. Experienced attorneys at Zneimer & Zneimer can guide you through learning your legal rights should you experience a similar situation. Contact Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.
There have been other victims of falling TV’s including Gianna Hadjis, 4, the girl was killed in January after a television in her home fell on her head. A 1 year old boy from the Roseland neighborhood also died when a TV fell on him the afternoon of February 7th. Arvey Levinsohn of A&H Childproofers said TVs and dressers can be dangerous no matter how sturdy they appear to be.
Pit Bull Killed After Viscious Attack
This week a pit bull was shot by police officers in Elgin after it attacked a neighbor’s dog, another pit bull. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt but the pit bulls life could have been spared if the owners were more responsible and ensured the pit bull was restrained. It was reported that around 6:30 p.m. Monday night the pit bull got loose and attacked a neighbor’s dog causing residents to call police. Jose Diaz arrived when police arrived on the scene and said the pit-bull, Rocco, belongs to his 19 year old son, Christian Diaz. The dog was taken to his girlfriend’s house which was why he was not in his kennel at the time. Diaz said he is unsure how the dog got out but somehow it managed to go into the neighbor’s yard with another pit-bull. Diaz made an attempt to keep the dogs apart with a folding chair however he was not successful. In the process the neighbor’s pit-bull bit Diaz’s hand, Diaz said “after Rocco saw I got bit…he went after the dog. That’s when he decided to go all out on him.” At that point no one could get the two dogs apart so police shot Rocco who police say was killed instantly. Diaz said there was nothing they could do.
The other pit bull was taken to an animal hospital for treatment, his injuries were not life threatening. Animal control officers are still investigating and police said charges are pending. Christian Diaz has seven previous citations from the past two months relating to Rocco including leaving Rocco off the leash, and Rocco charging other people and dogs, police said. Incidents such as these can be prevented if dog owners take measures to stop their dogs from attacking others such as not leaving them unrestrained or unsupervised. Calling for a ban on the breed would be unfair to responsible pit bull owners everywhere. Chicago injury attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer specialize in dog bit cases. Often dog bites are attributed to unrestrained dogs. If you or someone you know have been involved in a dog bite incident, it is important that you know your rights. Contact Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.
Text While Biking, Get a Ticket
Drivers in Chicago are aware that there is a ban on using cell phones while operating a vehicle and now that could extend to anyone operating a bicycle. If House Bill 3849 gets approved by state lawmakers police officers across Illinois will be able to hand out tickets to anyone caught either talking or texting on their mobile device while riding a bicycle. “This addresses beyond the road, this addresses the bike path as well,” Said Representative Kelly Cassidy of Chicago. Cassidy also says this bill is the result of bicycle safety groups calling for such a law. This law would be similar to the law already enforced on Illinois motorists. There was a 5-4 vote on Wednesday, February 8th where the House Transportation Committee endorsed the texting while biking ban with a goal of reducing accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident contact expert attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. for a free personal injury consultation.
The Bill needs to be approved by the full House, the Senate, and signed by the governor to go into effect. The bill will allow bicyclists to use hands-free devices while biking. With this Bill bicyclists can easily avoid a ticket if they pull over on the side of the road or path to text or make a phone call. Opposition to this law claims there are already enough laws. It seems that even with laws already in place car accidents and bicycle accidents still occur.
Victims of bicycle accidents should know their rights. Texting impairs motorist’s ability to focus on the road and can also have the same effect on bicyclists. When motorists and bicyclists take the necessary precautions and avoid distractions such as mobile devices, while operating either a vehicle or a bicycle, accidents can be avoided.
Grandfathers Not Safe in Nursing Homes
Over the weekend 80 year old Anibal Calderon was beaten to death at an Oak Park nursing home. Police said that another resident of the Oak Park nursing home is responsible. Police are still investigating the incident which occurred at the Oak Park Healthcare Center located at 625 N. Harlem Avenue in Oak Park. A nurse found Anibal Calderon lying unconscious Sunday night in the nursing home’s Alzheimer’s and dementia ward. He was taken to Rush Oak Park Hospital and was later transferred to Rush University Medical Center. He later died early Tuesday. Police believe a 66 year old man, who is also a resident at the Oak Park Healthcare Center, beat Calderon in the head with an object. Police say the incident began with an argument between the two residents and the 66 year old man ended it by beating 80 year old Calderon. An autopsy report determined Calderon died from head injuries and blunt trauma from an assault. Anibal Calderon’s death has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Incidents such as these can be prevented if nursing homes take the necessary precautions to keep their residents safe. Victims should understand their legal rights. Our expert attorneys Zneimer & Zneimer p.c. can help victims know their rights. If you or a loved one experienced a similar situation please call our office and schedule a free personal injury consultation.
Children’s Safety Will Hit Your Wallet
Earlier this week Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill allowing the City of Chicago to use cameras to catch speeding drivers near schools. The bill known as S.B. 965 will go into effect on July 1 and allows speed enforcement cameras within 1/8 of a mile, or one city block, around schools and parks between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. each weekday. The speed enforcement cameras are to be used within 1/8 of a mile around parks from one hour before the parks open to one hour after they close, which means cameras will be shut off only between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. It also allows using existing red light cameras and mobile cameras to catch speeders within 1/8 of a mile of schools and parks in Chicago.
The Expired Meter website issued a Freedom of Information request on all calls, emails and letters from the public to the governor’s office to learn about the response to the legislation. So far it has been negative; of the 224 calls, letters, and emails about the speed camera bill, an overwhelming 91 percent were opposed to it. Governor Quinn’s response was, “You may get letters, perhaps emails. You know, you study each communication, but… I’m not sure that’s a scientific sampling of all the people of Illinois, I think there are some people who are for the bill and some aren’t for it and, you know, that happens in a lot of situations.”
Mayor Rahm Emanuel released a statement on Monday morning thanking Quinn.