Family of mail carrier killed in Wheeling high-speed crash receives $12 million settlement

CHICAGO (April 29, 2022) – The family of a beloved mail carrier who was killed in a high-speed crash caused by a man who later fled the country, recently received a $12 million settlement.

On June 23, 2020, 62-year-old Arthur Matillano was driving home from his job as a USPS mail carrier just after 7:30 p.m. on Lake Cook Road near the intersection of Northgate Parkway in Wheeling, Illinois. At the same time, Sebastian Kuczek was coming up behind Arthur in a high-performance Jaguar at a high rate of speed. Kuczek rear-ended Mr. Matillano’s vehicle at a speed in excess of 152 miles per hour. The force of the collision propelled Mr. Matillano’s car directly into eastbound traffic, into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by an adult female. Witnesses say the impact caused an explosion that could be heard for miles.

Mr. Matillano was pronounced dead at the scene and the female driver of the other vehicle was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.  Kuczek suffered only minor injuries in the collision and was released from the hospital later that evening.

Kuczek did not have a valid driver’s license and had no training or certification as a vehicle transporter.  An investigation later revealed that at the time of the crash, Kuczek was driving the Jaguar from an auto auction in Wisconsin to a suburban auto dealership on behalf of “Fast Cars Transportation, Inc.”    Although the car dealership disclaimed any knowledge of Kuczek’s use of the Jaguar, Salvi Schostok and Pritchard secured insurance coverage through three of the insurers for the car dealership.

During the course of a criminal investigation, Kuczek fled to Poland and was charged with reckless homicide by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.  His whereabouts are still unknown, and the investigation by the Wheeling Police Department remains open.

“Arthur was adored by his family and the community he served. This senseless crash changed the Matillanos’ lives forever. They feel the emptiness of the space Art once occupied every single day and the intense emotional pain of losing their cornerstone has not lessened with time,” Plaintiff’s attorney Patrick A. Salvi said.

Mr. Matillano is survived by his wife of more than 35 years and four adult children.

On March 29, 2022, the parties agreed to settle the case for $12 million.

The family was also represented by Brian L. Salvi, Lance D. Northcutt, and Eirene N. Salvi of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C.

For more information, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.

###

Case No.: 20 L 009181 [Estate of Matillano v. Fast Cars Inc., et al.]