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CAVANAGH SORICH LAW GROUP FILES LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF BARRINGTON HILLS WIDOW WHOSE HUSBAND WAS KILLED IN A FATAL CAR CRASH

Lawsuit Alleges Another Driver Caused the Deadly Crash Last November in Barrington Hills by Running a Red Light and Driving Too Fast

CHICAGO Jan. 31, 2023—Cavanagh Sorich Law Group filed a three-count negligence lawsuit (Dietz V. Zavala and Idstein) in the Circuit Court of Cook County Monday on behalf of a 71-year-old widow whose husband was killed after another driver ran a red light and crashed into their car at the intersection of Illinois Route 59 and Illinois Route 68 in the Village of Barrington Hills late last year. She was a passenger in the 2020 Tesla her husband, 73-year-old Charles Dietz was driving at the time of the fatal crash. The complaint accuses the other driver, 34-year-old Matthew Zavala, of running a red light, driving too fast for conditions and crashing into the Tesla. The complaint also names the owner of the 2013 Nissan Rogue Zavala was driving at the time of the fatal crash.

The crash occurred on the afternoon of Nov. 4, 2022. Charles Dietz suffered critical injuries at the crash scene and paramedics rushed him to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. He died a week later. According to the complaint, his wife suffered physical injuries and great emotional harm as result of the devastating car crash and losing her longtime husband. They have three adult children and several grandchildren.

“Due to Matthew Zavala’s negligence and carelessness regarding the safety of others, she lost her husband of 50 years. The emotional trauma she suffered at the crash scene and watching her husband die in such a horrifying manner will stay with her for the rest of her life,” said her attorney, Michael J. Sorich, partner at Cavanagh Sorich Law Group. “There has to be accountability. If Zavala had just followed the basic rules of the road, this tragedy would never have occurred.”

The complaint accuses Zavala of two counts of negligence and the vehicle’s owner, Melissa Idestein of one count of negligent entrustment. According to the complaint, Idstein knew or should have known that Zavala would operate the vehicle in a careless, reckless, or incompetent manner.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge John H. Ehrlich has been assigned to the case.

Read the filed complaint below:

About Cavanagh Sorich Law Group

Cavanagh Sorich Law Group is a Chicago law firm that focuses on representing individuals throughout the nation in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Mr. Cavanagh has been recognized by Lawdragon Magazine as one of the top 500 consumer lawyer in America. The firm has been recognized by Best Law Firms since 2016. Mr. Cavanagh was named personal injury trial lawyer of the year by Best Lawyers in 2022. He has obtained settlements in past trucking cases of $10 million, $9.75 million and $4.175 million.

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