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Mother of Chicago Prep Student Who Drowned in Fox River Boating Accident Files Illinois Wrongful Death Lawsuit

In Cook County Circuit Court, the mother of Melvin Choice, one of the three North Lawndale College Prep students who drowned in a boating accident while attending Camp Algonquin earlier this month, has filed her Illinois wrongful death lawsuit. Virginia Choice is accusing Visionquest International, North Lawndale College Prep, and the YMCA of McHenry County of negligence.

Choice, Adrian Jones, and Jimmie Avant were staying at the camp because they were attending a leadership seminar with fellow students. The deadly boating accident happened after midnight on November 14 on the Fox River after the teens' chaperones and supervisors had turned in for the night.

Two of the boys drowned after the paddleboat they were riding in capsized, while the third teen drowned after he ran into the water to try rescuing them. The boat sank because it was missing the plug that stops water from entering it.

The camp?s boats had been winterized but hadn?t been put away. However, Paul Murray of the YMCA of McHenry County says the paddleboats had been stored ?far away from the water?s edge? and that because of their heavy weight, a great deal of effort would have been required to get the boats into the water.

On the night of the boating accident, six of the camp?s seven winterized paddleboats were placed in the water by several of the students. There were no life vests on the boats.

The water in the area where the teens drowned was 42 degrees and about 8- to 10-feet deep when the accident happened. Even the rescue divers who went into the water to retrieve the boys? bodies had a hard time navigating the cold, the current, and the debris.

Choice?s Illinois wrongful death lawsuit also accuses the three defendants of failing to keep the paddleboats in proper condition and failure to properly supervise her son. She is seeking over $800,000 in damages.

Common Causes of Drowning Accidents that Can Be Grounds for an Illinois Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

? Inadequately supervised lakes, pools, beaches, and other recreational areas
? Defective watercrafts
? Fall accidents into the water

Mother of CPS student who died in boat accident sues, Sun-Times, November 19, 2008

Late-night fun turns deadly on Fox River, The Geneva Sun, November 15, 2008

Related Web Resources:

YMCA of McHenry County

North Lawndale College Prep

Visionquest International

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on November 25, 2008 (boomark / email).