One vehicle was identified as a 2019 Dodge Durango driven by Erin L. Zilka, of Plainfield, Illinois. The Durango also was carrying a passenger, Charles Schauer, of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Schauer died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.
The second vehicle involved was a 2008 Hino Box Truck being driven by Felix Ocampo, of Shorewood, Illinois. There was a third vehicle, a pickup truck also at the scene.
According to authorities, Erin L. Zilka was charged with Driving Under the Influence. A preliminary investigation indicated that before this fatal accident happened, another accident took place between the Hino Box truck and a pickup truck. This crash was set in the two right lanes of traffic. The Dodge, driven by Zilka, came upon the stopped vehicles in the right lanes of traffic and struck the stranded Hino box truck from behind. Zilka was transported to a local area hospital with non-life threatening injuries, but her passenger, Charles Schauer was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Illinois State Police have not released and further information but indicated that the crash is still an open and ongoing investigation. There was no word on the other drivers and if they sustained injuries as a result of the crash.
We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Charles Schauer during this time. Our thoughts are with the injured victims in hopes of full recoveries.
Wrongful Death Accidents In Rockford
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 47 percent of motor vehicle fatalities in the state involved alcohol. Cook County consistently has the highest death and injury rate from accidents over any other county in the state.
When your loved one has been taken from you too soon, at the hands of a negligent party, the Janesville wrongful death lawyers at Alexander J. Smith Law Offices will help you put together a wrongful death claim on their behalf. We will take the legal challenges off of your plate so that you can take your time to mourn. We know that you need compensation to help with final expenses and if your loved one was the breadwinner, also your household finances. We will fight so you see your full legal justice after such a tragic event. The Janesville serious injury attorneys at Alexander J. Smith will care for victims and victims’ families in Wisconsin and Illinois.
The lawyers at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices are here to help you with your wrongful death claim. Call us today to set up a free consultation at (608) 237-7035 for residents of Wisconsin or (815) 243-9686 for residents of Illinois. One of our highly knowledgeable Wisconsin and Illinois wrongful death attorneys will answer all of your questions during the free consultation.
Note: As a result of the secondary sources that were used to complete this post, the information included within has not been independently verified by our own staff and may include misinformation. If you read something that, to your knowledge, is incorrect, please contact us as soon as possible and we will correct the inaccuracy.
Disclaimer: As members of the local community, we hope everyone in our community is safe and protected. We cover the events included in this blog as a way to offer support to the victims in similar circumstances and to provide relief during these difficult times. However, this information should not be misconstrued as legal advice, and you should speak with a trained legal professional for more information regarding your situation.