Man charged with reckless homicide in West Garfield Park crash

Bond was set at $275,000 for an alleged drunk driver facing several charges after his passenger was killed in a crash with a U.S. Postal Service truck early Saturday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.

Jimmy Payton, 27, is charged with reckless homicide, two counts of aggravated DUI in an accident causing death, and two counts of aggravated DUI in an accident causing bodily harm, all felonies, according to Chicago Police. He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of DUI and cited for disobeying a red light.

The crash happened about 3:20 a.m. in the 3800 block of West Congress when Payton failed to stop his SUV at a red light and collided with the truck, Chicago Police said.

His passenger, 31-year-old Sydni Murray of the 600 block of North George in Bensenville, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy Saturday found Murray died from multiple blunt force injuries in the crash, and his death was ruled an accident, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Both drivers were taken to Stroger Hospital, where Payton was listed in critical condition and the truck driver’s condition was stabilized, police said.

Payton, of the 2900 block of North Ridgeway, was ordered held on a $275,000 bond Monday and is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 5, according to court records.