On May 15th, 2025, Law360 reported that Enterprise—the large national rental car company—has agreed to an approximately $11.5 million wrongful death settlement related to a fatal crash that happened in McHenry County. The settlement was reached on behalf of the family of a 20-year-old man who was killed after being struck by one of the company’s rental vehicles which was being operated by an employee of the company. Notably, reports indicate that it is the largest wrongful death settlement in the history of McHenry County. In this article, our Chicago wrongful death attorney provides an overview of the case.
Young Man Killed in Tragic Company Car Crash in McHenry County
Joseph “Joey” Zephries—a 20-year-old utility worker from Huntley, Illinois—was struck and killed on January 8th, 2024 in McHenry County. According to local reports, Mr. Zephries was performing utility line location services for United States Infrastructure Company (USIC) on the south shoulder of Main Street in Huntley. Tragically, he was hit by a Kia Forte. That vehicle had been rented through Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car. The vehicle was driven by Brandon Evans. Mr. Evans, 28, was an employee of Enterprise. An investigation of the crash revealed that he was fatigued and driving too fast for road conditions. He was cited for a petty offense, but was cooperative with the investigation.
In July of 2024, the family of Mr. Zephries filed a wrongful death lawsuit in McHenry County. Both the driver (Mr. Evans) and the company (Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car) were listed as defendants. Notably, the employee was on-duty at the time of the crash. There were serious questions raised by Enterprise training/oversight standards for fatigued drivers. The wrongful death lawsuit will not go to trial. With approval from Judge Joel Berg of the McHenry County Circuit Court, the case settled for $11.5 million. It is the largest settlement for wrongful death in the history of McHenry County—nearly 50 percent higher than the previous record.
An Overview of Wrongful Death Claims for Motor Vehicle Fatal Accidents in Illinois
Traffic collisions are a leading cause of accidental deaths in Illinois. Most of these wrecks could have been prevented with the proper safety precautions. Here are key points that grieving families should understand about the wrongful death laws for fatal motor vehicle wrecks in Illinois:
- Eligibility (Not Everyone Can File a Claim): Sadly, not every person who was close to the victim has rights under the Illinois wrongful death laws. There are very specific filing requirements. Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/), only certain people may bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Typically, this includes the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. If none of these are available, the personal representative of the estate may file the claim on behalf of the next of kin. If you are not sure who should file a wrongful death lawsuit, our Chicago fatal car accident attorneys can help.
- Liability is Based on Negligence (Evidence is Key): To succeed in a wrongful death claim, families must prove that the fatal crash was caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. In other words, they must establish that the defendant(s) did something wrong to cause the crash. It could involve another driver, a commercial entity (such as a trucking company), a vehicle manufacturer, or even a government agency responsible for unsafe road conditions. A comprehensive investigation of every fatal accident is a must. These claims are based on evidence—such as photographs, police reports, eyewitness statements, and expert reconstruction. Notably, Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule—damages are reduced if the victim was partially at fault. They are barred if the deceased victim is more than 50 percent responsible for his or her own crash.
- A Two-Year Statute of Limitations: Your family does not have an unlimited amount of time to bring a civil wrongful death lawsuit. Illinois law imposes a strict two-year time limit to file a wrongful death lawsuit (740 ILCS 180/2(d)). As a general rule, the clock starts ticking on the date of the victim’s death. There are only very narrow exceptions. Do not miss out on the chance to get justice: Speak to a Chicago wrongful death lawyer right away after your loved one’s fatal motor vehicle crash.
- Understanding Wrongful Death Compensation: No amount of money can ever make things right after a fatal motor vehicle crash. Yet, families need justice and financial support. Civil wrongful death compensation can help. Wrongful death claims in Illinois can seek a wide range of damages. Families may recover compensation for medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost income and benefits, and loss of future financial support. Non-economic damages—such as loss of companionship, emotional distress, and grief and sorrow—are also compensable. In some cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be available. Though, they are a limited remedy.
A Chicago wrongful death attorney with experience handling fatal motor vehicle collision cases can investigate your loved one’s accident, gather relevant evidence, and develop a strategy to seek justice, closure, and the maximum financial support for your family.
How Our Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
Losing a loved one to a motor vehicle crash that never should have happened is a horrible tragedy. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys have the skills and experience to represent grieving families in fatal car accident claims. With extensive experience navigating wrongful death laws, we are on your side when it matters most. We have six and seven figure verdicts and settlements in wrongful death cases. Your initial consultation with our top-rated Chicago wrongful death attorney is free, confidential, and without any additional obligation.
Contact Our Chicago Wrongful Death Attorney Today
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago wrongful death lawyers fight for justice for families. Our team handles all types of wrongful death cases. Reach out to us by phone or get in touch with us directly online to set up your free, no obligation case assessment. With a legal office in Chicago, we represent grieving families in Cook County and throughout the wider region in Illinois.