Gurnee, IL — April 2, 2025, Amber Knowles was killed in a truck accident at about 8:05 p.m. in the 2100 block of North Delaney Road.
Authorities said a Ford E-450 hit a pedestrian near the intersection of Delaney and Sunset Avenue.
Pedestrian Amber Knowles, 33, died at the scene of the crash, according to authorities. She was not using a crosswalk while trying to cross the street.
Authorities have not released any additional information about the Lake County crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When a pedestrian is struck and killed by a commercial vehicle like a Ford E-450, the fact that they weren’t in a crosswalk often leads people to assume the fault lies with the pedestrian. But in my experience, the legal picture isn’t always that clear. Even when someone crosses mid-block, the driver of a commercial vehicle still has a legal duty to maintain awareness and avoid collisions when possible.
The central question here is whether the driver of the E-450 was operating the vehicle in a way that allowed them to see and respond to someone in the roadway. Was the area well lit? Was the driver speeding? Were they distracted by something in the cab: cell phone, navigation system or even just fatigue after a long shift? These are exactly the kinds of factors that can turn what seems like a clear-cut case into a shared-responsibility situation.
Even when a pedestrian crosses outside of a marked crosswalk, drivers still have an obligation under the law to be cautious and alert. That’s especially true for drivers of commercial vehicles, who are expected to meet a higher standard of care than the average motorist. A Ford E-450 may not be a full-sized semi, but it’s still large enough that visibility can be limited and stopping distances are longer. That makes attentiveness even more important, especially after dark.
At 8:05 p.m., lighting conditions are another factor that needs to be considered. Was the driver using high beams appropriately? Were streetlights functioning in that area? Did the pedestrian have any visibility aids like reflective clothing? And most importantly, did the driver have enough time and distance to avoid the collision, but fail to react?
Investigators should be looking at more than just the pedestrian’s actions. They should examine the truck’s speed, lane position and any camera footage or data from onboard systems. If the vehicle was equipped with a dashcam, that footage could be critical to understanding exactly what the driver could see, and when. Cell phone records and any recent driving logs should also be reviewed to rule out distraction or fatigue.
Just because someone wasn’t in a crosswalk doesn’t mean their death was unavoidable. I’ve handled too many cases where a full investigation revealed that the driver had multiple chances to prevent a crash, but didn’t take them. That’s why it’s essential not to let early assumptions overshadow the need for a thorough, evidence-based inquiry. Because every person — no matter where they’re crossing — deserves to have their story told, and the facts deserve to be fully understood.
call us 
Email Us 
Text us