ROCKFORD, Ill. — The Rockford Police Department is investigating a head-on accident on May 4 at 10:50 a.m. on Auburn Street and Central Avenue. Officials said an impaired driver caused the crash.
Authorities identified the driver as Mitchell Curtis, 49. Emergency personnel transported him and two others to local hospitals for treatment.
Curtis drove a 2018 Jeep Cherokee when he veered into oncoming traffic and struck a sedan head-on.
The Rockford Fire Department determined that Curtis was overdosing at the scene. His passenger was also unresponsive when officers arrived.
Officials said the sedan driver suffered injuries. Authorities charged Curtis with aggravated DUI causing bodily harm, DUI, and multiple traffic infractions.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Mitchell Curtis arrested after Rockford DUI-related accident
DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
This accident was clearly preventable. Impaired drivers are a risk to everyone on the road, and can senselessly ruin people’s lives.
“Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person,’’ explained Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
She added, “Separate from criminal charges, the family of a victim may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.”
According to the National Safety Council, the cause of 10 percent of all fatal automobile accidents is drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other medications. These accidents are the second-leading cause of automobile fatalities in this country.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
A victim may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim pending an investigation.
Bond said, “Injured victims involved in a collision often seek a personal injury claim to cover the cost of medical bills, future medical care, loss of income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
“Insurance companies can be notoriously unconcerned with the mounting costs that an injured party may accrue. An attorney can help. We protect the victims of these tragedies daily, forcing the insurance companies to pay for their mistakes,” she added.
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation for guidance
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News 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 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
