A judge in northern Illinois has awarded more than $6 million to the family of a 17-year-old girl who was killed by a drunk driver. Judge Edward Prochaska made the award last month to the family of Amanda Kordich, a Harlem High School student. Ms. Kordich was killed in July 2008 in an accident involving driver Wesley Hanson. The judge called Hanson’s actions “the definition of willful and wanton misconduct.” He is serving a nine-year prison sentence and isn’t expected to be paroled until 2016. Hanson didn’t have insurance when the accident happened. Under the civil judgment, Hanson’s future wages will be garnished. The victim’s young mother, Diane Kordich, says she hopes the judge’s award “will send a message that drinking and driving won’t be tolerated in this country.”

Source: Claims Journal