An Illinois woman has been charged with killing an off-duty police officer in a drunk driving accident. The accident occurred in September when 22-year-old Sara Lopez was operating a Toyota Camry the wrong way on Interstate 294. The Camry collided head-on with a Dodge Neon killing 27-year-old Steven Smith. Smith was the passenger in the Dodge and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the Dodge and Lopez were transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. On Friday, Lopez was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI.
According to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, 28 individuals are killed in drunk driving accidents every day. Drunk driving accidents are one of the most preventable auto accidents that injure and kill thousands of victims each year. The accidents occur so frequently that it is estimated that two out of three individuals will be involved in a drunk driving accident at some point during their lifetime. While the statistics are staggering, thousands of individuals continue to make the reckless decision to operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you have been injured due to the negligence of a drunk driver, you may have grounds to file a car accident case.
The experienced St. Louis drunk driving accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth have over 100 years of combined legal experience. We have recovered over $350 million in compensation for our client’s damages. We will use our skill and expertise to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free no-obligation consultation.