Charges in I-57 crash that killed IDOT worker, injured another

[Copper in Chicago]

Assuming he wasn't under the influence and had a drivers license, all he had to do was stop. Up until the moment he fled it was just an accident.

Stop and render aid when involved in an accident....you would want someone to do the same for you, and it's the law!

[mdf]

Who cares about the killers tragic life. He killed somebody just doing his job!

Seems like most people out in this world don't care about highway crews. If a person walked into an office and killed somebody, all hell breaks out. If you kill a highway worker, oh well.

I think everybody in the US that wants a drivers license needs to spend a summer on a road crew. You would see driver behavior improve. Nothing like the felling of dodging an idiot passing a pilot crew. That will get your adrenaline pumping!

[Deeply Sadden]

He should get the max for his crime no matter what.

It would not be justice to Manuel Chavez and his family if he gets away with this. Nothing he can do or say can change his actions.

Four children are left without a father because of his actions and that is the saddest part of all. They will be the most heart- brokern especially this weekend on father's day.

[josh]

W-T-F wrote:

We should all desire to keep the lives of highway workers in mind.
The legislation making it so punitive in the case of highway work is again misguided application of a fix.
We will soon learn that Mr. Lovell was DUI at the time.
The fact that he killed a highway worker instead of running his car into a school play ground is a matter of chance.
Our legal system does not deal properly with people who abuse substances and drive.
The recent recommendation of a safety study that drivers of golf carts should wear seat belts is another example of this imbecilic thinking.
Drunks don't care.
Stop the drinking and driving, don't throw all the effort into writing more complex and specific crime laws.

How do you know he might have been drunk?? How about if people start OBEYING the speed limits, specially in WORK ZONES?

[Anon Coward]

TRIBUNE STOP THE CENSORSHIP!!!!

[Friend of Lovell]

First of all, you all are making assumptions about someone you know nothing about. He wasn't drunk nor was he high. Before you start making up things and spreading rumors get your facts straight. This was a mistake, he fell asleep after a long day at work and wasn't driving reckless.

[Arsheena]

Well, you guys must don't understand life. Lovell Gates just finish college, he have a daughter, and his mother did die in a car accident to, when he was 18 years old. You guys do not even know his life story about him . He is not a killer, he just had a bad accident. I will have to say to that family, who lost their family member, I known lovell is sorry deep in his heart because he lost his mother on that same highway and i known he didn't mean to fall a sleep behind that well!!!!

[Cousin]

Deeply Sadden wrote:

He should get the max for his crime no matter what.
It would not be justice to Manuel Chavez and his family if he gets away with this. Nothing he can do or say can change his actions.
Four children are left without a father because of his actions and that is the saddest part of all. They will be the most heart- brokern especially this weekend on father's day.

No good citzen should get life for an honest mistake, an accident. Lovelle is not a life long crimial and his police record is clean. He made an honest mistake anyone of us could have made as well. Lovelle should pay for his crime, but max no.

[Perry Mason]

Go to jail! Do not pass go! Do not collect $200!
What a waste!

[Ronnie the Limo Driver]

Cousin wrote:

<quoted text>
No good citzen should get life for an honest mistake, an accident. Lovelle is not a life long crimial and his police record is clean. He made an honest mistake anyone of us could have made as well. Lovelle should pay for his crime, but max no.

hitting the worker MAY have been an accident - running away like a coward certainly was no accident

[joey vargas]

hi well i am a former friend of the worker jose chavez that past away and nephew of nick tapia the other man that was injured and i worked there with both of them and all i have to say is please slow down we idot workers have families to come home to

[joey vargas]

hey "cousin" he lft like a bitch while my friend dad of 4 died there he could at lest called 911

[the truth]

lovelle gates. wasn't driving under the influence. He isn't some thug from the inner city. He happens to be a classically trained young french chef. up until the time of the fatal crash, lovelle worked in on of the top resturants in the city. he worked directly under one of the most respected chefs in the country. plus he worked a second job at a catering company. he is also the loving father of a beautiful little girl. he simply made the mistake of driving after 2 long shifts and he fell asleep for a split second. and took the life of another human being and injured another. this is something that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

[MEMP]

Mistakes happen. Like they say here in Melrose just forget about it. Life goes on for eternity and then we are particleized into the triangle of the cosmos only to be born again with the graces of our loving saviour!

[Rambo]

I was in the laborers union for 8 years . Ive worked alot of nights on just about ant Chicago land express way you can think of.People need to slow down in these work areas.Ive seen many close calls,so many i cant count.My prayers are with all party's involved.Sad story

[Doo Doo]

Doo Doo

[felicia]

Heinie wrote:

Mr. Lovell - your cell is ready.

My cousin is who I look up to he is a good a Man he just got done with school and has a lovely baby gurl he anit a gang banger who killing more pepole then (BUSH)I kno we lost a hard working man and may my prays go out to the family but my cousin is all that I have you take him for life you takeing a good man out this world he nav robed killed or stole lovell had a accident now when has that been a crmie Please stop saying bad things about my cousin you foucs dnt kno him like we do

[felicia]

joey vargas wrote:

hey "cousin" he lft like a bitch while my friend dad of 4 died there he could at lest called 911

what hewas balck and scared waht did you expect he young hedidnt kno what to do he was shock just like you

[felicia]

Heinie wrote:

Mr. Lovell - your cell is ready.

F U okay get Wise

[felicia]

Perry Mason wrote:

Go to jail! Do not pass go! Do not collect $200!
What a waste!

he didnt mean it it was a accident