A driver in Chicago who had her license revoked for an unknown previous violation hit a pedestrian while she was driving unlawfully. Tragically, the victim suffered a wrongful death as a result of the injuries she suffered in the accident.

The 72-year-old victim was walking down a Chicago street in the late afternoon. The driver of the car, a 26-year-old woman, somehow crashed into the pedestrian and then left the scene of the accident. Not only was the driver reckless in her driving, she was also reckless by leaving the accident before authorities arrived. It may be likely that the driver was aware that she was not legally permitted to drive, and did not want to get in trouble for the accident.

The pedestrian was initially seriously injured. When the driver was located, she was originally charged with one felony count of failing to report the accident and one misdemeanor for driving on a revoked license.

However, the victim passed away hours later as a result of the injuries she suffered. The charges against the driver may be upgraded because the driver caused the death of the victim, instead of seriously injuring her.

The circumstances surrounding the accident are unknown. Did the driver lose control of the car, or was she impaired? Why was the woman driving in the first place when she had a revoked license? Is there a way that the driver could have prevented the victim's death by staying on the scene and getting help?

Dangerous drivers should be strongly punished for seriously hurting or killing an innocent victim. A driver who has already exhibited poor driving behavior and is driving with a suspended or revoked license should be held accountable. In addition to being reckless, a person who leaves the scene of an accident is also negligent. Victims of this behavior do not deserve to get hurt. There may be financial compensation available for those who suffer serious injury in these accidents.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Pedestrian, 72, struck in hit-and-run dies," Rosemary Sobol, Jan. 30, 2012