All his life, Joseph Richardson was used to making sure that his loved ones were safe. His brother remembers how he always watched out for him when they were kids, protecting him from neighborhood bullies. On Monday evening, all of Richardson’s protective instincts would be called again to the fore, this time to protect his daughter. As usual, he didn’t flinch. The “bully” here was – who else? - a drunk driver, and in the couple of seconds before Richardson died, he was able to raise his 4-year-old daughter to safety. He died from injuries sustained in the crash, while his daughter, Kaniyah, survived.

The father and daughter duo, Chicago residents, were walking to a McDonalds restaurant, when a Chevy Cavalier lost control and jumped the curb. The car careened towards them, and in the split second that he had to act, Richardson managed to raise Kaniyah to safety. It was too late to save himself, however. The car slammed against him with full impact, pinning him against the wrought iron fence. He died instantly. Kaniyah is listed as being in critical condition, and is at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

The man driving the car was 32-year-old Angelo Thomas. He has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated driving and driving under the influence. He has also been charged with driving without a valid license and without insurance.

Thomas seems to have missed the bus when he was required to take traffic safety classes. He was way over the alcohol limit when the accident took place. According to the results of toxicology reports, his blood alcohol limit was .135, well above the legal limit of .08. If that want enough, he had also been swigging beer at the time of the crash.

A bond of $900,000 has been set for Thomas.

Richardson has three kids who have now been left fatherless, thanks to Angelo Thomas. His family will obviously need support at this time of need. Calling for Thomas’ head is all very well, but this man wrecked a family apart and he deserves punishment that will pinch.

This is one of those cases where you thank our justice system for civil lawsuits. With just two counts of aggravated driving under him, there’s a fair chance Thomas will get out of jail – if he is convicted – in a few years time. A few years in jail with murderers, rapists, and all kinds of other charming personalities is hardly a fitting way to deal with drunken drivers like Angelo Thomas. A civil lawsuit would, on the other hand, not only help Richardson’s now fatherless children and his wife recover their lives back, but also financially cripple Thomas to a point where he is forced to sober up.