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A 19-year-old Chicago man, Peter Swenson, faces multiple felony charges after a fatal crash in Oak Lawn on Jan. 7 that killed one man and critically injured a child.
The crash occurred around 3:08 a.m. near Southwest Highway and Cicero Avenue. Police said Swenson was reportedly speeding southwest when his vehicle collided with another car traveling southbound on Cicero. The impact pushed the second vehicle over 100 feet into a vacant storefront at 4821 Southwest Highway.
The driver of the struck vehicle, identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Eglin Manuel Castro Alvarez, 27, of Midlothian, was a father of a 7-year-old girl. He was extricated from the wreckage and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he died. His daughter suffered critical injuries, including rib and spine fractures and lung trauma.
Swenson, who suffered minor injuries, allegedly admitted to drinking alcohol before the crash, telling officers he had consumed espresso martinis and was “joyriding.” His blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.153, nearly twice the legal limit.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Swenson with felony reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, and DUI causing death.
At a Jan. 9 hearing, prosecutors presented evidence showing Swenson’s car recorded speeds of up to 93.9 mph before the crash. Prosecutors argued his reckless actions posed a severe public danger and sought to deny his release.
Swenson’s attorney emphasized his lack of prior criminal history and his responsibilities as a college student and caregiver for his father, who is battling stage four cancer.
The judge allowed Swenson’s release under strict conditions, including a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, random alcohol and drug testing, and a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device. The court will determine whether Swenson may drive under these conditions at a Jan. 16 hearing at 9:30 a.m. in Room 103 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
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