A driver who caused a fatal crash on the West Side last week has now been charged with reckless homicide as per the latest accident reports. The driver was identified by the authorities as Damion Laird, 29.
According to the details shared by the Cook County prosecutors, the crash involving Laird took place last week on Friday, September 11. Laird was traveling through the intersection of the Jackson Boulevard and Laramie Avenue at the time. He failed to stop at a red light and continued driving through the intersection. This was when his vehicle T-boned another vehicle.
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The other vehicle was a 2007 Toyota Camry whose driver was identified as James Wells, 31. As Laird hit the Camry, the sheer impact of the collision sent the Camry spinning through the intersection. It finally came to a stop after colliding with a pole.
Wells was tossed to the backseat during the collision and sustained critical injuries. He was transported to the Stroger Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Laird remained relatively unhurt in the crash. He refused immediate medical treatment. Later at the Loretto Hospital, he consented to undergo DUI testing. The results from the test are yet to arrive. In the meanwhile, Laird has admitted to having taking multiple shots of brandy before he got behind the wheel and caused the crash.
Laird has now been charged with reckless homicide as per the latest accident reports. He is being held on a $50,000 bail and is due to appear in the court on next month.
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