Family of Injured Downers Grove Boy Petitions Governor for Stiffer Distracted Driving Penalties

In Illinois, drivers convicted of hitting a construction worker are subject for up to a $10,000 fine and 14 years in prison, but the maximum penalty for failing to yield to a pedestrian in Illinois is typically a $500 fine.

For one family in the area, this disparity adds a cruel insult to injury. Earlier this year, 14-year-old Hunter Himes, of unincorporated Downers Grove, was struck by a car while riding his bicycle home from a friend's house. The former Lakeview Junior High student was left without the ability to walk or speak.

The driver, Timothy J. Hagan, of Darien, had previous traffic offenses. He was ticketed for "failure to yield," and only faces community service, according to a group that is petitioning to increase the penalities for distracted driving in Illinois.

A petition has been started by Steven Vena, a concerned citizen who has started an online petition to Governor Pat Quinn that already has gained nearly 100 signatures. Below is the text for the petition, which can be found here:

On February 26, 2012 in suburban Darien, IL a 14 year old boy, Hunter Himes, was hit while riding his bike through a crosswalk and subsequently pinned underneath the vehicle. (source: http://darien-il.patch.com/articles/bicycling-teen-trapped-under-car-seriously-injured) The boy barely survived the accident and has been left with severe disabilities including quadraparesis and the inability to speak. The driver of the vehicle was ticketed for “Failure to Yield” by local police. While the driver has had prior traffic offenses showing a pattern of bad habits, he is still only facing "Community Service" for his actions due to the current statutes written for this offense. The driver was also completely sober, making this incident that much more reprehensible, and its injustice completely intolerable. Distracted driving is just as deadly as driving under the influence and yet we do not hold both driver's up to the same accountability. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.

The Illinois “Hit A Construction Worker Penalty” has been widely publicized and accepted. Unfortunately a young boy named Hunter Himes, now severely disabled and robbed of the life he once had, has not been afforded this same justice. THIS LAW NEEDS TO CHANGE IMMEDIATELY.

It is disconcerting as a citizen of Illinois to know that the “Failure to Yield to Pedestrian” law is not equal to other similar laws. ONE LIFE IS NOT MORE VALUABLE THAN ANOTHER! This unfortunate case of Hunter Himes clearly illustrates the need for statutes to be changed immediately.
 
I urge you as Governor to please help change this law. Please help make Illinois pedestrians safer, our children safer, and distracted drivers accountable for their actions behind the wheel. The people of Illinois will thank you — and so will the over 2,400 supporters of Hope for Hunter.

Hunter's mom, Terra Ihde, said prosecutors are unable to use cell phone records to determine if mobile-device use played a role in the accident that injured her son.

Hagan pleaded not guilty to charges that he failed to yield as he made a right turn onto Lemont Road the day Hunter was hit. The case is still pending.

To sign the petition, click here.

Earlier: 

• Mom of Injured Boy Urges Vigilance Behind the Wheel
• Hunter’s Hope: Ways You Can Support Injured Boy’s Recovery
• Community Unites in Hope for Lakeview Student Struck by Car
• Hundreds Attend Vigil For Boy Hit By Car in Weekend Accident

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