A woman from north suburban Chicago was charged with a felony aggravated DUI after she struck two vehicles, CBS Chicago reported. The 25-year-old driver, Yolanda McCray, and her 5-year-old daughter were both injured in the accident.
The mother is expected to fully recover but sources say the young girl is in "really bad shape," but reporters would not elaborate. The defendant was ordered held on $100,000 bond.
Whatever the condition of the child, Yolanda McCray's Illinois DUI attorney no doubt has a challenging case. Her history and the current charges are quite serious.
Yolanda McCray is already on probation in Lake County for a domestic-related incident, but the article (and other articles about the incident) did not provide details. In addition to the felony charge, she was cited for a child restraint violation, leaving the accident scene, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance and driving without a seat belt.
Police told reporters that her 1997 Chevy hit a 1994 Buick and then accelerated into oncoming traffic, where it collided with a truck. The article did not say whether or not there were injuries related to the other vehicles involved in the incident.
Yolanda McCray obviously did not intend for her child to become injured but it's never acceptable to drive child passengers without proper restraints.
Children seven years old and younger, as well as those 57 inches or less, must be placed in a proper child safety restraint in Illinois, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Those who are more than 40 pounds may use an adult seat belt (lap belt only) but must sit in the back seat; according to the article, Yolanda McCray's daughter was not even wearing a seat belt.
While this is an extreme DUI case, there are many well intentioned people who get behind the wheel when they shouldn't. If you have been charged with a DUI, retaining a Chicago DUI lawyer may be wise.
For more information, check out the Related Resources links.
Related Resources:
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Illinois DUI Law (FindLaw)
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Seat Belt and Child Restraint Violations (FindLaw)
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Changes to Illinois DUI License Suspension (FindLaw's KnowledgeBase)
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Find a Chicago DUI Lawyer (FindLaw)
