Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed After Illinois Man Killed on Riding Lawnmower

Chicago, IL (Law Firm Newswire) March 12, 2015 – A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed over the death of an Illinois man who was killed when he was struck by a car while cutting grass on a riding lawnmower. According to the lawsuit, in August 2014, Thomas Knepper, 68, was mowing the grass along Route 52 in Will County using a riding lawnmower when he was struck and killed by alleged drunk driver Zevez Murrell.

“Far too many lives are lost in accidents resulting from drunk driving negligence,” said Paul Greenberg, an attorney with the Chicago firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. Greenberg is not involved in the case. “When someone’s reckless driving results in death, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold the driver accountable and obtain compensation for the grieving family.”

Murrell, a 32-year-old resident of Kankakee, Illinois, was arrested on charges of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence. He has been held in the Will County jail awaiting the disposition of the criminal case against him.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Bonnie Gresser, identified as a “beloved confidant and friend” of Knepper. According to an obituary published by Russell Publications, Knepper was a Vietnam War veteran.

According to statistics from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 926 traffic fatalities in Illinois in 2014, a decrease from 988 fatalities in 2013. Of the 926 fatalities in 2014, 591 were drivers, 180 were passengers, 125 were pedestrians, 26 were cyclists, and three were occupants of non-motor vehicles such as trains, horse-drawn carriages, and buildings struck by vehicles.