Man found guilty of leaving scene of accident after Peoria auto repair shop manager was impaired

PEORIA, Illinois — A man has been found guilty of failing to report an accident that left a Firestone Peoria store manager permanently disabled.

The Peoria County District Attorney’s Office said 45-year-old Christopher Shea was found guilty Friday in a trial before a single judge in the Sept. 9 crash.

During the trial, the manager and several store employees testified that Shea came to pick up his car after it was repaired, then grabbed the keys and drove off.

The manager then jumped onto the roof of the car on the driver’s side and fell into the middle of the road as Shea drove away. The accident caused a traumatic brain injury and the manager bled heavily from his right ear.

Shea reportedly never stopped the vehicle, returned to the scene of the accident, or reported the accident.

Shea testified that he never intended to pay for the repairs, but never saw the manager on his car. Prosecutors say witness testimony proves otherwise.

Sentencing for Shea is scheduled for August 19.