Chicago, Illinois - 9 Injured in Suspected DUI Crash in the Loop, Driver Jacob Jones Arrested

Alleged Drunk Driver, 8 Others Hospitalized in Loop Crash

23-year-old Jacob Jones has been charged with driving under the influence and related offenses following a suspected DUI crash that left eight others injured in the Loop early Friday morning.

According to the police, Jones drove through a red light at around 3 a.m. on Friday and crashed into two other vehicles under the L tracks on Ida B. Wells Drive, near the intersection with South Wabash Avenue.

The driver and eight others involved in the accident all suffered minor injuries and are expected to survive. Five 20-something passengers in a Jeep and a 25-year-old sedan driver with a 19-year-old female passenger were all injured in the crash. A 54-year-old woman in a third vehicle also suffered minor injuries.

Jones has been charged with misdemeanor counts of DUI, damage to public property, failing to reduce speed, and running a red light.

Legal Options for People Injured by Drunk Drivers in Illinois

Attorney contributor Brian Kent represents the victims of drunk driving accidents in civil lawsuits, helping them recover the financial compensation they deserve. Here is some info from Brian on the legal options available to these victims in Illinois:

In all 50 states, individuals who are injured in alcohol-related accidents have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the person who caused the accident. Additionally, Illinois and many other states also have “dram shop” laws, which allow alcohol vendors to be sued for injuries caused by someone to whom they provided alcohol.

In Illinois, dram shop laws allow these victims to file lawsuits for damages related to personal injuries, property damage, and damage to means of support or loss of society. Dram shop laws in this state are more open than other states, as there is no requirement for visible intoxication. In order to file a lawsuit against an alcohol vendor for a drunk driving accident in Illinois, you or your lawyer must prove the following things:

• The person responsible for causing the accident and injury was intoxicated at the time
• The vendor sold or provided alcohol to the intoxicated person, who consumed it
• The alcohol consumed by the intoxicated person was a cause of his or her intoxication
• The injuries resulted at least partly from that person’s intoxication, and
• As a result of these things, the victim was injured or suffered property damage.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident with a drunk driver? We want to help you recover the full financial compensation you’re entitled to. Get in touch with one of our experienced DUI accident victim attorneys to learn more about your legal options in a free consultation.