LAW
STUDENT PARALYZED IN ACCIDENT SUES
(As reported in the Law Bulletin)
By Mike Austin
Law Bulletin staff writer
A
third year Chicago law student who was struck by a taxi
and paralyzed filed suit against the driver who hit him,
the driver's employer and a construction company whose work-site
protective tunnel created a "blind corner" and
contributed to the accident, according to the student's
lawyer.
The
suit was filed by Kurt D. Lloyd on behalf of Donald Hallsten,
a student at Loyola University Chicago Law School. Hallsten,
26, was on his way to class at about 9:15 a.m. on December
16, 1999 when he was struck by a Dino Cab Co. taxi driven
by Richard M. Owusu, according to Lloyd.
Hallsten
had been northbound on a bicycle under a construction site
protective tunnel occupying the left lane of traffic on
Dearborn Street between Chestnut Street and Delaware Place,
Lloyd said. Kenny Construction Co. had built the tunnel
adjacent to its multi-story building project, Lloyd said.
When
Hallsten reached the north end of the tunnel and entered
the crosswalk at Delaware place in an attempt to cross Dearborn
Street eastbound, he was struck by the taxi, Lloyd said,
adding that there were no signs warning motorists about
pedestrians who were exiting the tunnel and entering the
crosswalks.
"Nobody
knows your there until your out [of the tunnel]," Lloyd
said. "[Hallsten] was in the crosswalk. He was where
he was supposed to be. When you come out [of the tunnel]
the traffic is not aware of your presence until you're out
in the lane. It's a blind corner."
Currently,
Hallsten is being treated for paralysis from the waist down.
The
suit seeks damages "not less than $50,000" from
each of the three defendants.
The
case has been assigned to Cook County Circuit Judge Philip
L. Bronstein in the Law Division. Hallsten v. Kenny Construction
Co., et al.. 97 L 1092.
