Peoria man found guilty in hit-and-run that seriously injured business store manager
A Peoria man was found guilty Friday for failing to report an accident in which he reportedly took off from a Firestone dealership, injured the manager and didn't return to pay.
Christopher J. Shea, 45, was charged in September 2023 for failing to report an accident for his role in a Sept. 9, 2023, incident in which the manager of the store was left seriously injured after he had been dragged across Knoxville Avenue while trying to avoid being run over by Shea's car.
According to the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, the manager and several employees testified in front of Peoria County Circuit Judge Paul Gilfillan that Shea had arrived at the store shortly before 5 p.m. that day to pick up his car following repairs. However, instead of paying for the repairs, he grabbed the keys and proceeded to drive off.
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He departed in the direction of the store's manager, who hung on to the car on the driver's side in order to avoid being run over. The manager ended up falling off as Shea drove across Knoxville, never to return to the store.
The Peoria Police Department responded to Firestone shortly afterward. The manager was found lying in the middle of the road, with heavy amounts of blood coming from his right ear.
He was hospitalized following the incident and suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the encounter, along with a permanent disability.
Police found the vehicle in the 3000 block of Northeast Adams near an apartment complex. They found Shea in one of the apartments, along with the keys, and he was taken into custody.
Shea took the stand in his own defense Friday, saying that while he planned to take the car without paying, he didn't see the manager desperately trying to hold on to the car. However, other witnesses say that Shea was aware of the manager's presence when leaving the store.
Sentencing in the case is scheduled for Aug. 16.
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This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria man found guilty in hit and run accident that injured one person
