Tired of walking, man jumps from bridge to swim home

PEORIA -- Peoria police say a 21-year-old man survived a jump off the Bob Michel Bridge and later told them he had decided to swim home rather than walk.

Anthony Beeney of East Peoria was taken to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Saturday morning with minor injuries, and was later cited for disorderly conduct.

Police say it was Beeney's second trip to the hospital that day, having been treated earlier after an altercation. After he was released from St. Francis, he started heading home on foot across the bridge when he apparently got tired of walking and decided he'd rather swim across the river.

Beeney jumped from the center of the north side of the bridge, and was rescued soon after by a boater who was bow-fishing for Asian carp.