Victims of a deadly 2016 rollover limousine crash on I-90 near Elgin won a $104 million verdict in which the jury found the Illinois Tollway liable for having a dangerous design and a dangerous construction zone at the Fox River bridge on March 25, 2016 that contributed to a horrible crash (ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
After a nine and a half-year legal battle, a Cook County jury found the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority negligent in creating a dangerous construction zone near the Fox River Bridge on I-90 that caused a fatal crash on March 25, 2016. The rollover limousine crash caused one fatality and serious injuries to five victims.
Michael Johnson and Robert Rosa, survivors of the crash, announced the $104 million verdict with their legal team from Cavanagh Sorich Law Group.
The crash happened in a construction zone on I-90 at Mile Post 55.8 near the Fox River Bridge on March 25, 2016. One person was killed and five others were seriously injured.
Johnson and Rosa, traveling with friends from Madison, Wisconsin, were on their way to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago in a limousine to take a flight for a vacation in Mexico.
An Illinois Tollway safety plan known as a Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan which requires five or six warning signs or advanced warning signs for traffic was improperly set up. The Illinois Tollway neglected to place five of the signs for advance warning of a dangerous lane shift. Although Johnson and Rosa survived, their lives were changed forever by injuries.
The Illinois Tollway fought the case for the duration. Johnson said the trial was difficult — to re-live it all.
The jury found that the Illinois Tollway’s negligence, specifically in creating a dangerous construction zone, contributed to the crash. The jury found that the Illinois Tollway was negligent, specifically for its role in creating a dangerously designed construction zone that ultimately contributed to the deadly crash and the life-changing injuries.
Rosa became a quadriplegic with an injury at C-6 and C-7, and with no feeling below his armpits. Rosa’s condition requires 24/7 care for the rest of his life. Rosa was once an independent and active person who was first up in the morning and was the last person up at night working to help people. For the rest of his life he faces a future when even the simplest tasks require assistance.
The case involved appearances in appellate court two times and supreme court once. Extensive discovery involved hundreds of thousands of contracts and pages, and over 200 depositions before justice was served by the jury.
Rosa haș been involved in extensive rehabilitation at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab — formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Johnson and Rosa said the verdict isn’t just about compensation; it’s about accountability. They both worked hard on this case to make sure the results of neglect don’t happen to anyone else.
“I feel like I can finally breathe. Looking forward to moving on,” Johnson said. “Part of the reason we fought, we didn’t want this to happen to anybody else out there. We drive these tollways and we pay a great deal of money to use them and the tollway has the responsibility to keep us all safe.”
The two felt tremendous relief after the verdict. They feel they got justice and accountability. However, they never heard an apology from the the Illinois Tollway organization. They’re still looking for an apology.
Rosa said his focus is on keeping his body as strong and healthy as possible while moving forward.
Despite the challenges, he and Johnson said they plan to continue enjoying life together and making the most of each day.
Rosa concluded: The public has to be protected. Our roadways need to be safe.
Johnson concluded: As we’re driving down these tollways, we want to be safe, especially in a construction zone when in it isn’t normally straight and free of obstacles.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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