Chicago bike accident: Family of 3-year-old girl killed in Uptown planning lawsuits, lawyer says

Elizabeth Grace Shambrook was killed when she was hit whereas using on the again of her mom’s bicycle, in keeping with police. It occurred round 8:15 a.m. within the 1100-block of West Leland Avenue in Uptown Thursday, officers stated.

The semi was pulling away from a cease signal at Leland and Winthrop avenues round 8:15 a.m. when it knocked the mom off stability and the lady was thrown from a baby service on the bike, in keeping with a police report.

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The lady’s father, who was following on his personal bike, stated his spouse was “crowded” between the semi and the ComEd truck. Different witnesses stated the mom was startled when the semi began shifting, tried to regain her stability and was clipped by the truck.

The kid fell off the bike and was dragged by the semi for greater than 20 ft, the police report states. The kid was sporting a helmet and was sitting in a baby service connected to the rear of the bike, police stated.

“We simply heard screaming after which we circled and, I am assuming it was the daddy, simply pounding on the truck to again up so they might pull the kid out from below it,” stated Tim Bartsch, witness.

Her father stated she glided by Lily Grace, and he described her as sensible, humorous and vibrant.

Her father stated the accident was solely preventable. He’s upset the ComEd truck was parked within the bike lane, and that the semi was driving down a residential avenue.

“For some motive there’s all the time 18-wheelers, all meals vehicles, happening right here on a regular basis,” Bartsch stated. “The Christopher Home is correct there with youngsters enjoying on a regular basis. It would not make any sense why Leland is a large intersection for 18-wheelers.”

Native leaders agree one thing wants to alter. Metropolis knowledge reveals 484 bicyclists have been concerned in crashes to this point this 12 months.

Alderman James Cappleman stated he plans to ask the Chicago Division of Transportation (CDOT) for a security evaluation on this space of Leland and Winthrop the place the lady was killed.

“I am unable to think about what a dad or mum goes by means of. This might be one thing that may hang-out this dad or mum for the remainder of her life,” Cappleman stated.

A spokesperson for CDOT confirmed they’re conducting an entire evaluation of what led as much as the kid’s loss of life and stated in a written assertion: “The Chicago Division of Transportation (CDOT) is dedicated to defending the bodily security of each individual on the road – whether or not they’re strolling, biking, or driving. Yesterday’s tragedy underscores the significance of the Metropolis of Chicago’s ongoing dedication to lowering visitors fatalities by means of an entire of presidency method that employs security methods and neighborhood partnerships.”

Leland Avenue is a delegated bike route that options dashed trails on the facet of the street. However the bike lanes are unprotected, which suggests there aren’t any boundaries between riders and motor autos.

Chicago bike security advocates have been calling for change after the deadly crash.

“Paint shouldn’t be safety!” stated Courtney Cobbs, with Higher Streets Chicago. “Paint shouldn’t be going to guard you when a automotive weaves into the bike lane.”

It is a route Cobbs tries to keep away from.

“There are no velocity humps,” Cobbs stated. “The street is de facto huge, and there nothing to stop anybody from weaving.”

Now, that route is marked with a memorial for Shambrook. The toddler’s loss of life got here simply weeks after a 23-year-old bicyclist was hit and killed close to North Milwaukee and Kilbourn avenues final month. That intersection now has plans to construct raised concrete curbs to guard riders.

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“It is a tragic crash and a preventable crash,” stated Kyle Whitehead with Lively Transportation Alliance.

The Lively Transportation Alliance stated these bike lanes aren’t sufficient generally due to how busy metropolis streets are.

“That is one thing we see, not simply on this neighborhood, however in neighborhoods all throughout the town and it is one thing individuals have longed complained about and pointed to as one thing the town ought to tackle,” Whitehead stated.

The group is asking metropolis leaders for extra infrastructure to gradual vehicles down. Whitehead stated that may occur with raised crosswalks and raised intersections, amongst different issues.

“We must be paying additional consideration and investing extra into the security infrastructure that we all know can forestall crashes and save lives,” he added.

“If the town actually desires to make it occur, they will make it occur,” Cobbs stated. “And, the truth that they don’t seem to be doing it says that my life shouldn’t be a precedence. The lives of people that get round by bike should not a precedence, proper now.”

ComEd issued a press release saying, “ComEd was issued a allow by the Chicago Division of Transportation to carry out work within the space, nonetheless, our investigation into the accident is ongoing.”

Police are nonetheless investigating the incident with the help of the Main Accident Investigation Unit.