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A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case against Joliet Police Officer Erin Zilka, who faces charges in a fatal crash that resulted in the death of her passenger, 33-year-old Berwyn Police Officer Charles Schauer. Both officers were off-duty at the time of the accident.
The Illinois State Police initially issued a misdemeanor ticket to 35-year-old Zilka after her Dodge Durango crashed on Sunday morning. While they recommended that Zilka be charged with driving under the influence and driving too fast for conditions, the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has not yet formally filed these charges as they continue to conduct a "thorough investigation."
Zilka's attorney, Jeffrey Tomczak, stated that her blood alcohol content was below the legal limit, according to blood tests taken within an hour of the crash. The Joliet Police Department is also conducting an internal investigation into Zilka's case.
Citing a potential conflict of interest, Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow requested to have his office removed from the case, and a judge approved the motion. Tomczak has called for the Illinois State Police to interview witnesses who could testify about the road conditions at the time of the crash, arguing that there was nothing Zilka could have done to avoid the impact.
Work Cited: Elwood, Patrick. "Special prosecutor to handle case against Joliet cop in crash that killed Berwyn officer." WGN-TV, 21 Jan. 2020, WGN9
As anyone who has been through it knows, the personal injury litigation process can be extremely complex, costly, and time-consuming. That's why, when you're looking for a law firm to handle your case, it's important to find one you can trust to provide the experienced, aggressive, and compassionate representation you deserve.
At The Tomczak Law Group, we have years of experience taking on some of the biggest corporations, municipalities, trucking companies, and insurance groups. We've successfully represented countless clients and secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. In fact, we've achieved several recent notable case results:
Wrongful Death Lawsuit for infant death. In 1996 a Joliet infant died while in a crib manufactured nationally – in April of 1997 over 600,000 of these cribs were recalled by the United State’s Government. A substantial recovery was made for the parents, and a promise to protect other children was kept.
Automobile Accident for soft tissue injuries
Nurse Malpractice involving child’s finger(s) loss
Class action consumer fraud lawsuit involving unsafe products for children
Civil Rights Lawsuit filed for a man shot by the Joliet Police Department
This case was declined in writing by one of the largest and most respected law firms in Chicago. Like we always tell our clients – EXPERIENCE & RESULTS matter and so should YOUR case!
If you have been the victim of a personal injury, it is crucial that you have an experienced and trustworthy legal team on your side. At Tomczak Law Group, we take pride in the high-quality legal representation and personalized attention we provide to our clients.
We will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve. With our experience and resources, we will fight for your rights and get you the best possible outcome. Contact us today for a free consultation.
When you're in need of an attorney who will fight for your rights, look no further than The Tomczak Law Group.
With offices located throughout Will County and nearby areas including Joliet (just outside Chicago), our team has successfully represented clients across this wide-ranging terrain from criminal defense matters all the way down to personal injury claims--with only one goal: To ensure justice is served!
From our office in Joliet, Illinois we serve clients throughout the area including but not limited to:
Proudly serving justice in our local communities for over 25 years
