Riverdale, Illinois - Stephanie Anselmo Killed in Tragic DUI Crash with Tevin Washington

Tevin Washington Charged with Reckless Homicide, DUI Following Crash

39-year-old Stephanie Anselmo was tragically killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver on February 28.

Police say 25-year-old Tevin Washington went out for drinks on his 25th birthday before rear-ended another vehicle on I-57 in Riverdale, sending that vehicle off the highway and onto the railroad tracks below. The driver of that vehicle, Stephanie Anselmo, was killed in the crash.

Washington has been charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence. Prosecutors say he was drinking at Darrin’s Lounge on the South Side before the crash.

According to Illinois State Police and prosecutors, Washington was allegedly driving 85 mph in a 55 mph zone when he switched lanes and crashed into Anselmo’s Jeep on I-57 between 127th Street and Sibley Boulevard. The Jeep caught fire and crashed through a concrete barrier before landing on the Metra tracks below. Anselmo was pronounced dead at the scene.

Washington allegedly left the scene and returned 20 minutes later and was arrested. He allegedly failed a field sobriety test and blew a 0.123 blood-alcohol content on a Breathalyzer.

Washington was ordered held on a $150,000 bail and will appear in court on Anjalih 5.

Who Can Be Held Liable For a Drunk Driving Crash in Illinois?

Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea represents drunk driving crash victims and their families in civil lawsuits and helps them recover the financial compensation they deserve. Brian has offered to share some information on the legal rights of these victims and families in Illinois:

Drunk driving crashes cause unimaginable suffering and grief for countless American families each year. Tens of thousands are severely injured or killed by drunk drivers. Along with the emotional costs of these crashes, many families suffer serious financial difficulties as the result of losing a loved one to a drunk driving crash.

These victims and families have legal rights, including the right to financial compensation for both the emotional and financial difficulties they face. Personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against drunk drivers. Additionally, Illinois is one of many states that allow victims and their families to file dram shop lawsuits against alcohol vendors in some situations.

According to Illinois dram shop laws, an alcohol vendor can be sued for injuries or deaths caused by a customer if:

• the person who caused the injuries or death was intoxicated,
• the vendor provided alcohol to that person, who consumed it,
• the alcohol this person consumed caused their intoxication,
• the injuries or deaths were at least partly caused by the intoxication, and
• the injured person suffered personal injuries or property damage as a result.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a crash with a drunk driver, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced drunk driving crash victim lawyers.

Source

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/02/man-charged-with-reckless-homicide-in-deadly-crash-on-i-57/