The mother of a bicyclist struck and killed in an accident with a van driven by a railroad employee is suing the railroad company for wrongful death.
Karla Garcia, as special administrator of the estate of Lorenzo Garcia, filed a lawsuit Aug. 10 in Cook County Circuit Court against Illinois Central Railroad Co. and William Thigpen, citing negligence.
According to the complaint, Thigpen practiced careless judgment while operating a motor vehicle van owned by Illinois Central Railroad while traveling southbound on Western Avenue in Olympia Fields on July 21 where Lorenzo Garcia was riding his bicycle.
The complaint states that Thigpen – who was also driving with a suspended license – so improperly operated and controlled the van that it collided and struck Lorenzo Garcia, which caused him to suffer injuries that ultimately led to his passing on July 27.
Karla Garcia is seeking an amount in excess of the minimum amount required for jurisdiction against Thigpen and Illinois Central Railroad.
She is being represented by Matthew T. Jenkins of Corboy and Demetrio in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L008135.