Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez Died In Chicago Hit-And-Run Truck Accident

Truck Accident - November 12, 2024

Construction Worker Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez Died In Chicago Semi-Truck Accident On The Kennedy Expressway

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (November 12, 2024) – A construction worker identified as Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez has died in a Chicago hit-and-run semi-truck accident on the Kennedy Expressway.

Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:00 p.m. near the Kinzie Street exit. Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez was painting the walls of the tunnel on a lift.

A tractor trailer hit the lift that he was working on and kept going. Two other vehicles were also involved in the collision.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez was transported to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.

Despite lifesaving measures, he later died at the hospital. The semi-truck driver involved in the collision left the scene. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years, three daughters, and a 2-year-old grandson.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Cook County Semi-Truck Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in semi-truck accidents. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,764 people died in large truck crashes in 2022. Seventeen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 66% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are a number of factors that can make semi-trucks particularly dangerous.

• A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 lbs.
• Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
• Semi-trucks are much more difficult to maneuver than smaller vehicles.

Truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise a great deal of caution in order to avoid collisions. Among other things, they will need to get a commercial driver’s license. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-601) “No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property.” If a truck driver fails to slow down in order to avoid hitting a worker, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any truck accident. If the victim of a truck accident was working at the time of a collision, a third party could be held at fault. A third party may include a general contractor or the owner of the roadway. Generally speaking, general contractors should take a number of measures in order to protect workers from the hazards of vehicles when they must work along roads.

• General contractors should develop and implement a traffic control plan.
• Construction workers should be given high-visibility clothing.
• General contractors should use physical barriers and workers to shield workers from car accidents.
• General contractors should use flaggers and traffic control personnel.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any construction accident. Victims often incur high medical bills and may need to take substantial periods of time away from work. Family members may lose their primary financial provider. Sadly, though, construction companies will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if one of their workers is injured or killed on the job. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision. Even a fragment of a fleeing vehicle after a crash can help identify that vehicle later on.

Investigating Cook County Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Francisco Padilla-Gutierrez. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. The semi-truck driver involved in this collision should do the right thing and turn themselves in. It is never too late to do the right thing.

Do you need more information about a Cook County semi-truck accident? Our team of worker’s rights advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.