Car Crashes Into Secretary of State Building in Benton, One Person Injured

A quiet Friday afternoon in Benton turned unexpected when a car suddenly crashed into the Illinois Secretary of State building on North Main Street. The accident occurred at approximately 4:34 p.m., as per Benton Police Chief Chris Funkhouser, and one individual was hurt.

Police indicate that 24-year-old Ethan A. Prusha was driving at the time. He was said to have been on his driver’s license test when he mistakenly hit the gas pedal rather than the brake. This made the car lurch forward and drive straight through the front of the Secretary of State building.

One of the individuals in the building during the crash was injured and had to be taken to Franklin Hospital for treatment. Fortunately, their wounds were not serious & they are recovering now.  Authorities have not released additional info regarding the status of the person or whether citations or charges will be filed.

Although this incident seems not intentional, it’s also a reminder of the harm even a momentary lapse of concentration can cause – particularly behind the wheel of a vehicle. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but this situation could have ended much worse.

Accidents Can Happen Anywhere – Know Your Rights

Believe it or not, such incidents are more common than most are aware of. Every year, thousands of drivers mistakenly hit the gas rather than the brake pedal, causing accidents – occasionally into buildings, storefronts, homes, or even busy areas. Panicking, nervousness (particularly from new drivers), or pedal misplacement can be responsible for these types.

Here, it happened in a driving test – something that is supposed to help maintain safety on roads. However, or wherever it happens, when a vehicle hits a building and someone gets injured, responsibility and legal rights come into question.

If you’re in Illinois & you get hurt in this type of situation – whether you were within a building, walking down the sidewalk, or even another driver – you can be eligible for recovery of your damages. Medical expenses, lost wages, psychological distress, and recovery expenses over time have a way of adding up fast. Illinois law provides injured parties with the right to bring claims against parties who have acted negligently and caused harm. Depending on the situation, the driver can be responsible for the injuries, even if the car crashes unintentionally.

You can find out more about personal injury claims & victims’ entitlements by visiting sources such as Illinois Legal Aid or the Illinois State Bar Association. These sources offer useful information on your rights and what to expect if you choose to make a claim.

Of course, every case is unique. That’s why talking to an expert lawyer can help you understand and make informed decisions.

Injured? We’re Here to Help

At Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our best car accident attorneys focus on the person who was harmed in this unusual and frightening incident. We hope they have a smooth & fast recovery, both physically and emotionally. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time – especially when a car crashes into a building -is something no one can prepare for.

Our personal injury attorneys​ have decades of experience managing personal claims. No matter if the accident is caused by driver negligence, unsafe conditions on the premises, or some other sort of carelessness, we are committed to serving victims and collecting fair compensation for them. From medical expenses to ongoing therapy, from lost wages to pain and suffering – we know what you’re going against, and we’ll fight for your rights.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident such as this – whether in Benton or elsewhere in Illinois don’t wait to take action. We provide free consultations & we don’t charge you any legal fees unless we recover in your case. That means you have absolutely nothing to lose by talking to us and everything to gain by finding out more about your legal rights.

Call today at (618) 244-5335 or contact us online to schedule your free case review. We’re committed to helping accident victims get back on their feet & we’ll be by your side every step of the way.