A hot air balloon ride turned disasters recently when the balloon caught on fire. The balloon was tethered to the ground initially but then was released into the air as the fire began to spread. Many of the passengers were able to jump out of the basket to safety, but not all were lucky. Two of the passengers died from burns. The balloon landed on several homes destroying them.

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Governor Blagojevich signed legislation making it a requirement for all Illinois hospitals to screen intensive care unit patients for staph or MRSA infections. Illinois is the first state to implement such a law, however, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have similar laws that will go into effect later this year.

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A single vehicle accident left an 18 year old Chicago man dead early Tuesday morning. Another Chicago man and a woman from Janesville were reported to be injured in the accident. It is believed the man that survived was treated and released from the hospital, however, the condition of the woman is unknown at this time. The car was found in a ditch on County A east of Church Road about 2 miles north of Footville.

Police reported skid marks approximately 50 feet in length on the road and believe the car traveled at least another 250 feet once it left the road. The family of the man killed and those injured in the accident may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. In a one car accident, many times the injured passengers can recover for injuries from the driver. The passengers of the vehicle or their families should contact an attorney to find out if they can make a claim against the driver for their injuries or death.

The Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minnesota on Wednesday killing at least seven people. Many more are feared dead. Scores of people were also injured in the collapse. Video of the bridge shows the center collapse in just under four seconds, giving victims no time to escape. Cars fell into the river below and were covered in water. Many may still be trapped in their cars.

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Peter R. Williams died after his car was struck by a bus while he was waiting for a traffic light in Newport News. While Williams was waiting the bus made a left turn and struck his car. Williams was 41 years old at the time of his death.

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A medical malpractice lawsuit was brought against Overland Park Regional Medical Center after Jonathan U died in the hospital two years ago. Jonathan U was brought to the hospital after he was running down a purse snatcher. The purse snatcher was in a car at the time and swerved causing U’s injuries.

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Raisa Gilevaja was walking across Armitage Avenue at Damen in Chicago when she was struck and killed by a concrete mixing truck. Gilevaja, who was 75, was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition. She was pronounced dead shortly after she arrived.

The truck driver was cited at the scene for failure to exercise due care while a pedestrian was in the roadway. The truck driver and the company he works for may face a lawsuit in the future for the wrongful death of Raisa Gilevaja.

Inder “Paul” Batra and his wife Uma were the victims of a reckless car accident in California this past week. The couple was walking near their San Jose home when a car speeding around a turn at 80 miles per hour crashed into the couple and killed them. The driver and passenger of the car were also killed in the accident. It appears the driver lost control of the car when he was driving around the curve that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.

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A collision between two cars of teenagers on Tuesday claimed the life of Gina Bronge. Gina, only 15 years old, was a passenger in a 2002 Jeep Wrangler that collided with a Hyundai Tiburan at the intersection of Waukegan and Kates roads in Deerfield, Illinois. Police have not issued any citations in the accident and do not believe alcohol or drugs played a roll in the collision.

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A car accident on Chicago’s Northwest Side has claimed the life of one passenger. Darlene Reyes was only fifteen years old when she became a victim of a deadly car crash. She was the passenger in a car that had pulled out into cross-traffic in an attempt to make a left turn. While the car was in traffic another car going straight smashed into the passenger side of the car Reyes was in. She was pronounced dead two days after the accident.

The driver of the car that Darlene Reyes was in was cited for two violations. The Reyes family may be able to recover for the wrongful death of Darlene and should contact an attorney immediately.