University Student Dies After Accident on Lincoln Avenue

Article From: The Daily illini

Article Date: October 9, 2013

A second victim, University student […], was also hit by the truck and transported to Carle. She is not believed to have life-threatening injuries, according to the press release.

The two victims were struck by the truck on Lincoln Avenue near Nevada Street, according to Urbana Police detective Matt Rivers.

The truck was driven by Willie Craft, Sr., 58, of Urbana. Craft was traveling south on Lincoln Avenue around 10 a.m. and drove across a sidewalk several times, while also hitting street signs and an occupied vehicle in traffic.

He was also transported to Carle for treatment and consented to blood and urine samples.

Craft was cited for improper lane usage and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

The two victims were walking near the McKinley Health Center, said witness Jeremy Thurman, a construction worker working outside McKinley. He said one victim was swept under the truck and the other was thrown over it.

(The full text of the article was printed at http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_9a159528-3109-11e3-8fa7-001a4bcf6878.html ).

Note: John J. Malm has been retained to represent the young woman who was struck and injured in the pedestrian accident. The woman, who is a California resident, suffered serious injuries including fractures, when she was struck by the vehicle operated by Willie Craft. She was on a sidewalk.