Addison family's suit says townhouse owners negligent in son's death

An Addison couple filed a lawsuit Wednesday that blames the owners of several adjacent townhouses for the death of their 5-year-old son.

Luis Beltran was killed two years ago today after being hit by a car driving through the alley-style driveway that runs between dual rows of four-unit townhouses lining Michael Lane and Elizabeth Drive.

The suit contends the owners of the townhouses were negligent in maintaining safety measures in the alley that is jointly owned and maintained by the property owners. The suit states the property owners failed to install warning signs or devices and allowed speed bumps to be removed.

The suit names 15 different property owners and asks for a minimum of $50,000 from each of them, plus costs. The couple is represented by Wheaton attorney George Acosta.

Attempts to reach many of the property owners Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Addison police said they are aware of the area named in the suit, but didn't classify it as a dangerous thoroughfare.

Acosta said his clients hope the suit will also spur property owners to make other property repairs in the area.

"These are mostly immigrant families living in this neighborhood and there are a lot of children," he said. "The property where (Luis) was living had a fence, but the gate was gone."

The young boy was killed after he wandered from his yard and across the alley. Acosta said the boy's father saw the youngster make it across the alley, but when he told him to stay where he was, the boy didn't hear him and tried to cross the alley again. He was struck by a car going about 20 mph. Acosta said the speed limit in the area is 15 mph.

The driver wasn't charged criminally and only had "minimal insurance," Acosta said. The family settled out of court with the driver's insurance company.