A 30-year-old man died following a fatal rear-end collision that occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday in the 2600 block of West Warren Boulevard on Chicago's Near West Side. The crash happened just before 2 a.m. when the victim, driving a gray Hyundai sedan eastbound, was rear-ended by a 42-year-old man operating a black Dodge SUV. According to Chicago police reports, the Hyundai was stopped at a traffic signal when the collision occurred. Emergency responders transported the 30-year-old victim to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from injuries sustained throughout his body. The driver of the Dodge SUV was taken into custody at the scene, with charges pending as of Saturday afternoon. The Chicago Police Department's Major Accidents Unit is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this fatal crash.

Location and Infrastructure

West Warren Boulevard in the 2600 block runs through Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood, an area located approximately two miles from Chicago's city center and adjacent to Interstate 290. This section of Warren Boulevard serves as a significant east-west arterial road connecting various neighborhoods and providing access to major destinations including the nearby United Center and the West Loop district. The area features excellent public transportation access, with the Green Line and Pink Line Ashland-Lake station located just a six-minute walk from the corridor. The 2600 block of West Warren Boulevard includes traffic signals at major intersections and serves both residential and commercial traffic patterns. The Near West Side neighborhood has experienced significant development in recent years, with new residential and commercial projects increasing both pedestrian and vehicular traffic volumes. The presence of traffic control devices, including the signal where the victim's vehicle was stopped, reflects the area's busy nature and the need for regulated traffic flow during both daytime and overnight hours.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Under Illinois law, rear-end collisions typically create a legal presumption that the following driver is at fault, based on the principle that drivers must maintain safe following distances to avoid collisions when vehicles stop suddenly. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation may be reduced if the victim is found partially at fault, but recovery is possible as long as fault is less than 50%. Illinois requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage. In fatal accidents, wrongful death claims may be pursued by surviving family members for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident, making prompt legal consultation essential. Given that criminal charges are pending against the other driver, coordination between civil and criminal proceedings becomes an important consideration for affected families seeking comprehensive justice and compensation. 

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Chicago Police Department: 911 or (312) 746-6000
• Chicago Fire Department Emergency Medical Services: 911
• Mount Sinai Hospital: (773) 542-2000
• Illinois State Police District Chicago: (847) 294-4400

Traffic Safety Resources:

• Chicago Department of Transportation Vision Zero Program
• Chicago Traffic Safety: www.chicago.gov/TrafficSafety
• Chicago Police Department Traffic Crash Reports
• Chicago Traffic Tracker for real-time conditions

Support Services for Accident Victims:

• Illinois State Bar Association Auto Insurance Guide
• Illinois Department of Insurance Consumer Services
• Chicago Victim Services: (312) 744-8200
• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection: (800) 964-3013

Legal Resources:

• Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/)
• Illinois Department of Insurance - Filing Claims with Another Driver's Insurance
• Illinois Courts Self-Help Center: www.illinoiscourts.gov
• Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: (312) 554-2001

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals involved in traffic accidents should consult with qualified legal professionals for advice specific to their circumstances.