Corboy & Demetrio Files Lawsuit in Death of Law Student Killed in Wrong Way Crash
The father of 26-year-old Laura LaPlante, who was a passenger in a taxi traveling north on Lake Shore Drive at Randolph Street when it was struck by a wrong-way driver heading south bound, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit on her behalf. Corboy & Demetrio attorney Thomas A. Demetrio represents the LaPlante family.
LaPlante was a University of Chicago Law School student and was returning home on May 2nd when the taxi was hit head on by Erik Johnson, who was driving home from a party. Johnson, named as Defendant in the lawsuit, is now facing criminal charges of reckless homicide and aggravated DUI in LaPlante’s death.
The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges Johnson was negligent in driving the wrong way and in driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, and should be held responsible for LaPlante’s death.
“The impact of this tragedy is immense. Laura LaPlante was an amazing young woman who touched the lives of everyone around her. Not only is her family heartbroken but so are those in her native New Hampshire and in the University of Chicago community where she was an exemplary student,” Demetrio said.
LaPlante was in her third year of law school and was President of the Federalist Society. She had already accepted a job at a prestigious Boston law firm. In addition to her father, Daniel LaPlante, she left surviving her mother, Roberta LaPlante; two brothers, Peter and Ryan LaPlante; and a sister, Claire LaPlante. LaPlante was raised in Hancock, NH, and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2010, where she ran cross country. She moved back home for a year after graduating to work and coach her high school’s girls track team.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has described her as incredibly kind and generous, whose accomplishments were matched only by her willingness to help those around her,” Demetrio said.
Case#: 2014L008900, Daniel LaPlante, Administrator of the Estate of Laura LaPlante, v. Erik Johnson, Cook Co. Circuit Court. Filed on Aug. 26, 2014.