Aaron Dunigan, 18, and Juan Rivera, 56, killed in head-on crash on State Street in Calumet City, Illinois
TEEN IN ILLINOIS KILLED IN CRASH AFTER PROM
Dunigan was a senior at Thornton Fractional North High School. Known as an outstanding quarterback for the school's football team and an all-around good kid, he was planning to finish high school and head to Southern Illinois University in the fall.
Teen Out With Friends After Prom Among Two Killed In Calumet City Car Crash
“Kindest spirit ever and nobody that knows him didn’t love him,” said Kaye Jackson, his mother.
Student returning from prom among 2 killed in crash
The Times of Northwest Indiana reported police said 18-year-old David Peden of Calumet City was driving the car Dunigan was a passenger in and has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
Teen Charged With DUI In Crash That Killed Two After Prom In Calumet City
David Peden, 18, is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI causing death, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. He was ordered held on a $40,000 bond Tuesday and is next scheduled to appear in court June 8.
Teen charged in crash that killed student after prom
The Chicago Tribune said David Peden of Calumet City was released on $40,000 bail Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Mother Kaye Jackson walks in her son Aaron Dunigan's place at high school graduation after the football star was killed in car accident
"Not to say I wasn't worried about him, I always worry about him. I wanted him to enjoy the best he could, that's normal right? He said, 'Mama, I love you and I'll see you later.'""I said, 'I love you too' and that was it," Jackson said.
According to Calumet City Police, 18-year-old David Peden was behind the wheel of a car containing Aaron Dunigan, 18, and another teen on their way to a prom after-party. The teens were traveling east on State Street Saturday morning when apparently Peden crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck head-on. Dunigan, who was in the front passenger seat, was killed, as was the driver of the pickup, 56-year-old Juan Rivera.
Why every fatality from a crash is not legally a wrongful death
After someone dies in a motor-vehicle accident, grieving family members and friends are often left with many questions. What caused the accident? Could it have been avoided? What do they do now that their loved one is gone?
Sometimes a fatal collision happens through no one's fault. Crashes caused by weather and road conditions, or by wildlife in the roadway, are examples. But when a fatal crash is caused by negligence, then family members should pursue a wrongful death claim, to uphold the victim's rights and begin the financial recovery process. Learn more about wrongful death claims here.
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