Grand Jury Indicts Ill. Man on Obstruction Charge

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced that a Christian County grand jury has returned an indictment charging a Taylorville man with obstruction of justice for his statements to police following an automobile accident earlier this year.

The indictment charges Robert Swiney with knowingly falsifying his account to Taylorville Police of a two-vehicle collision at a Taylorville intersection the evening of April 23.

According to the indictment, Swiney told police that after his vehicle was struck from the rear, he proceeded around the block, checked his vehicle for damage and returned to the intersection to locate the other vehicle. Swiney told police he could not find another vehicle and proceeded to drive home. Police claim that Swiney did not stop his vehicle after the collision.

On April 27, Christian County authorities formally charged Swiney with several traffic citations including leaving the scene of an accident.

A first appearance is scheduled for June 11 in Christian County Circuit Court.