Man accused of DUI in fatal UTV crash released with conditions

PEORIA (25News Now) - Business executive Joshua Bellamy was in court Monday, arrested for a fatal UTV crash that claimed the life of prominent Peoria philanthropist Laura Cullinan.

The 52-year-old man was in Peoria County court Monday afternoon, facing a single charge of aggravated DUI.

Prosecutors filed a petition to release Bellamy with conditions. The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office said the conditions were requested based on Bellamy’s background, lack of criminal history, strong ties to the community and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Bellamy was released from custody and ordered not to consume any drugs or alcohol, to surrender his passport, not to leave the state without permission from the court and to wear an alcohol detection monitor and GPS electronic monitoring device.

He is set to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 17.

Speaking to reporters, Bellamy’s attorney Jon Giraudo said his client is innocent and was not under the influence during the accident.

Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins on Sunday said deputies were called just before 11 p.m. Saturday to private property in the 5600 block of North Kickapoo-Edwards Road after a UTV left a paved driveway, crashed into a wooden post, and overturned.

Watkins said four people were riding the UTV.

In a Sunday morning release, Watkins said deputies found signs Bellamy was driving under the influence.

According to Watkins, investigators obtained a search warrant to collect blood and urine samples after Bellamy refused to undergo field sobriety and chemical testing.

Bellamy owns The Yard Peoria, a former warehouse used for year-round baseball and soccer. 25News spoke to Bellamy just last week, marking The Yard Peoria’s 10th anniversary.

The Peoria Riverfront Museum also listed Bellamy as managing partner of Peoria City Soccer, participating in an Oct. 7 “Soccer in America” discussion at the museum, according to the museum’s Facebook post. Peoria City Soccer’s website does not currently list Bellamy’s name.

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