After an agonizing nine-year legal battle, two survivors of a deadly 2016 car crash have been awarded a $104 million verdict against the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, as reported by ABC7 Chicago. The incident, which occurred on Interstate 90 near Elgin, resulted in both fatalities and serious injuries among the vehicle's occupants. The plaintiffs, Rob Rosa and his husband Michael Johnson, were en route to a vacation in Mexico when their limousine overturned after crashing into a concrete divider.
Victims testified that the area lacked sufficient warning signs due to a poorly designed construction zone, contributing to the accident. According to a statement obtained by WGN-TV, Johnson and Rosa's attorney emphasized that an "MOT plan required five or six warning signs, advanced warning signs. Five of the six signs were omitted." This absence of critical signage was a key element in deeming the Illinois Tollway negligent.
On the day of the crash, the limo driver reported being blinded by the sunrise, which impeded his view of the road's traffic pattern. The stretch of I-90 they were navigating faces directly east, aligning with the rising sun's trajectory and creating hazardous driving conditions. This factor, combined with the cited negligence on the part of the Illinois Tollway, led to the crash that forever altered the lives of all involved.
Rosa, now a quadriplegic, articulated his ongoing struggle by saying, "I still live in pain 24 hours a day. No amount of money will take that away," he told WGN-TV. Despite his life-altering injuries, Rosa affirmed his commitment to maintaining the strength and health of his body moving forward. Johnson and Rosa together expressed that the verdict represents not just compensation but accountability, and also a hope that their experience will prevent future incidents.
The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, when approached for comment, provided a brief response to Friday's verdict. "We are evaluating the verdict and do not have further comment at this time," they said, according to the information reported by ABC7 Chicago. The verdict may fuel discussions on the safety of construction zones and the responsibility of state authorities to ensure safe passage for commuters on their roadways.
