Elgin Man Sues St. Charles Man, Area Firefighter for Negligence in Fatal DeKalb Crash

An Elgin man who survived a fatal DeKalb car crash in January is suing a St. Charles man who police say caused the accident.

Evan Cortez, 23, of Elgin, is pressing charges against John A. Yanni III, 25, of St. Charles. The lawsuit claims that Yanni, a Fox River & Countryside firefighter and paramedic, was negligent for driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident on Jan. 17, according to The Daily Chronicle.

Cortez was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by Johnathon R. Ode, 18, of DeKalb when Yanni reportedly collided with it head-on. He had crossed the center line in the roadway and sideswiped and oncoming vehicle prior to crashing into Cortez and Ode, who was killed in the accident.

Cortez suffered permanent injuries, according to The Daily Chronicle report, and is seeking, "compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and 'loss of normal life.'" Yanni has also been criminally charged with aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide.

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