New Illinois Law Targets Boating and Drinking

 Posted on August 30, 2013 in Personal Injury

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn authorized a bill that aim to make waterways safer in July of 2013.  He was supported by the Borcia family of Libertyville.  Last summer, they lost their son during a family outing on a lake.

Tony Borcia was ten years old last year when he was struck and killed by a boat.  Prior to the accident, Tony had fallen off a tube that was being pulled by his parent’s pontoon boat.  While he was wading in the water for his father to turn the boat around and get him, David Hatyina ran him over.  Tony unfortunately died from the injuries he received from the accident.

It turned out that Hatyina was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time.  This is not an isolated incident either.  A spokesperson from the Governor’s office said that in 2012, there were over 100 boating-related accidents which caused 77 injuries and 17 deaths.  Alcohol was a contributing influence to 13 of the accidents and five of the fatalities.

At the signing, Governor Quinn stated that “people enjoying our magnificent waterways shouldn’t have to worry about reckless, drunken boaters when they’re out tubing, swimming or paddling.” The law signed should make boaters think twice about drinking alcohol before or while driving any watercraft.   The law requires that any pilot of a boat that is involved in an accident must consent to drug and alcohol tests.  If they decline, surpass the blood alcohol content limit, or have drugs in their system, then they could lose their driver’s license.

While this law should limit the boating accidents that occur and punish those pilots who drink and drive, it does not make up for the lose of a family member.  Consider filing a wrongful death suit to minimize at least the financial burden of losing a loved one due to the negligence of another person.  This legal recourse is in place to lessen the blow of the high costs of medical bills, funeral expenses and the suffering this lose has caused.  Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in Cook County today to discuss your potential case.