A prominent story that has recently claimed the headlines in Chicago is coming to a close. A jury convicted an off-duty police officer of reckless homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and aggravated drunken driving after he crashed his car into a 13-year-old boy in 2009. The officer faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.

This fatal hit-and-run incident is an unfortunate reminder that serious, and sometimes deadly, accidents can happen when a reckless driver gets behind the wheel. Whether the driver is speeding, swerving across lanes or - like in this story - intoxicated, it is imperative for the victim in an accident to seek legal representation.

Any medical expenses or pain and suffering you have been dealt because of the negligence of another driver gives you the right to take legal action. A reputable lawyer will have the experience and determination to fully pursue your case and provide you with support as you attempt to be compensated for the traumatic event you unjustly suffered.

For the family of the 13-year-old in this hit-and-run story, they have already suffered enough with the loss of their child. But the father seemed to take solace in the verdict. "We feel vindicated," he said.

A major aspect of this hit-and-run was the preferential treatment the guilty officer received after being pulled over with an open beer. Police at the scene said the guilty officer immediately made them aware he was one of them, and a squad car video camera caught a superior officer telling him "I'm gonna try to help you out as much as possible."

According to testimony, officers waited to administer field sobriety and breathalyzer tests under orders by superior officers. It wasn't until two hours after the hit-and-run accident that the guilty officer performed the "walk-and-run" test, which officers said he failed in testimony. More than two hours after that, his blood alcohol level was tested, measuring just below 0.08.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Off-duty cop guilty in fatal DUI," Jason Meisner, Jan. 19, 2012