Community Corner

Bellwood Man Charged in Oak Park Pedestrian's Death

A Bellwood man has been charged with reckless homicide after his car struck and killed an Oak Park man crossing Harlem Avenue early Saturday morning, police said Monday.

Michael D. Campbell, 21, of the 500 block of Morris Avenue in Bellwood was charged in the death of Christopher R. Swordy, 22, of the 800 block of South Clinton Avenue in Oak Park, according to a news release from the Oak Park Police Department.

Police said Swordy and two other people were crossing Harlem eastbound at Jackson Boulevard at about 3:10 a.m. when he was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by Campbell, who was traveling northbound on Harlem, according to the release.

Swordy’s companions were not injured, police said. Police stopped the car about a block north of the accident, after the driver turned eastbound at Madison Street.

Campbell, who registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .172, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence (DUI), aggravated DUI BAC over .08, reckless homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and several other Illinois vehicle code violations, police said.

Campbell is being held in Cook County Jail pending bond.


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