Lawsuit Filed Against DUI Driver In Death Of 79-Year Old Woman

TINLEY PARK, IL - The driver of a car involved in a crash police say caused the death of a 79-year-old woman in Tinley Park earlier this month now faces a wrongful death lawsuit in addition to criminal charges. Lawyers representing Phillip J. Reyes, son of fatal victim Armida Reyes, filed the lawsuit against Timothy McGuire in Cook County Circuit Court this week.

McGuire, who was charged last week with aggravated DUI causing death and driving without insurance in connection to the March 11 crash near the corner of 80th Avenue and 167th Street in Tinley Park, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit filed by the Cavanagh Law Group. The plaintiffs are alleging McGuire was negligent in causing the crash.

The lawsuit, which includes counts of negligence and wrongful death, claims Phillip Reyes was the driver of a car waiting to make a left turn onto 167th Street from 80th Avenue with his mother as a passenger when a car driven by McGuire crashed into their vehicle at a high rate of speed. Two other passengers in the car driven by Reyes were injured, according to the suit.

As a nurse, Phillip Reyes attempted to save his mother's life "but could not find a pulse due to her catastrophic injuries," according to the suit. She suffered from internal injuries and a broken neck.

According to the complaint, McGuire was driving drunk, speeding and drove into the wrong lane of traffic causing the crash. RELATED: Tinley Park Man Accused Of Being Drunk In Crash That Killed Woman

Reports from prosecutors at McGuire's initial court hearing on the criminal charges said Armida Reyes' final words were "speed up," having seen McGuire's car coming at them at a high speed. This was the third DUI-related charge for the 37-year-old McGuire. Police said his blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

“Prior to this devastating, fatal accident, Timothy McGuire had two prior convictions for driving under the influence,” said Timothy J. Cavanagh, founding partner of Cavanagh Law Group. “This man never should never have gotten behind the wheel of a car. He knew he was he drunk, he knew was an alcoholic but he chose to drive anyways and the consequences were deadly.”

Among other complaints, the lawsuit indicates McGuire "failed to stay on the proper side of the roadway," "operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree that rendered him incapable of driving safely" and "proceeded at a speed that was greater than reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions."

The amount the lawsuit seeks isn't specific, but states it should be "in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the Circuit Court of Cook County."

Photo: Cavanagh Law Group / Tinley Park Police Department