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Defense Wants Charges Dropped in Fatal Distracted Driver Crash

Posted on Jan 28, 2010

On May 2, 2009, Anita Zaffke was stopped at a red light on Old McHenry Road, near Lake Zurich, Illinois. She was fully geared with leathers, heavy boots and a helmet. Anita was an experienced motorcyclist who had taken a solo bike trip to British Columbia. Unknown to her, Laura Hunt was approaching the intersection at a high rate of speed. Reckless as that was, it's unconscionable to think she was painting her fingernails while driving and didn't see Zaffke until after she slammed into the stationary motorcycle. Zaffke was killed and the incident brought national attention to the problem of distracted drivers crashing into motorcycles.

Hupy and Abraham, S.C. started a campaign to promote safety with its "Watch for Motorcycles" message on stickers, billboards, news paper articles and other venues. To date, the firm has spent over $100,000 on this important program. The "Watch for Motorcycles" bumper stickers have been seen as far away as Washington State, California, Florida, Texas and New York. We hope it will help in reducing the number of senseless injuries and deaths.

The attorney for Laura Hunt has asked that reckless homicide charges against her be dropped. This has outraged many motorcyclists, especially in Illinois and Wisconsin, who have been working tirelessly to urge increased penalties for such offenses. Greg Zaffke, Anita's son, even has a web site dedicated to this cause.

Lake County Circuit Judge Fred Foreman will rule on the motion to dimiss the homicide charge on February 11, 2010. Meanwhile, Laura Hunt remains free on $100,000 bond awaiting trial on March 1, 2010.