Pedestrian struck by carjacking suspect on Lowell sidewalk has since died

A pedestrian, who was struck Friday night by someone driving a stolen vehicle on a Lowell sidewalk, has since died from his injuries, a spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Christopher Campbell, 30, of Billerica faces a slew of charges in connection to the incident and others, according to a press release from the DA’s office, Lowell police, and State Police. Charges include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of personal injury, carjacking, larceny of a motor vehicle, negligent operation, and a marked lanes violation.

Local boxing community mourns a loss

The spokesperson from the DA’s office did not immediately identify the victim to Boston.com, but other media outlets, including The Boston Globe, have identified him as Gregory Leschishin.

Nolan Bros. Boxing in Waltham posted a tribute to Leschishin on its social media accounts, remembering him as a beloved boxing coach and mentor.

“Greg was a special type of dude,” the post reads. “He hated when we would swear and would give me a hard time when we didn’t have a bucket in the corner. He could tell you the number one song during the month and year you were born. He loved being asked to sing the anthem before events, and did so on so many of our shows.

“Above all else, he loved the sport of amateur boxing and the community surrounding it,” the post continues. “He was instrumental in the creation of Masters boxing and was a fixture at events across the nation. He was a friend, a mentor, and one hell of a guy. We’re going to miss him terribly. There will never be another coach Greg. God bless you buddy.”

USA Boxing New England also recognized Leschishin for his contributions to the local boxing community.

“Greg, you gave so much to USA Boxing New England and far beyond,” an Instagram post reads. “You weren’t just a part of this sport — you were a pillar, a teacher, a voice, and a heart. I will miss you. I will miss your jokes that always made the room lighter. I will miss your music trivia that you somehow always won. I will miss your powerful national anthems that brought chills to our skin. I will miss your clinics, where you poured your knowledge into the next generation. But most of all… I will miss you.”

Multiple incidents in Lowell lead to an arrest

The charges against the suspect stem from multiple incidents in Lowell on Friday night.

Police allege that around 10:25 p.m., Campbell first hit another vehicle with his Volkswagen Jetta in the area of Boylston and Rogers streets, stepped out of his car, and then jumped on the hood of the other vehicle and started shouting. The driver ran from her car in fear, officials said.

Campbell then allegedly hopped in and stole her car, heading down Rogers Street, where he drove onto the sidewalk and hit the man later identified as Leschishin. Leschishin was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, which he succumbed to early this week.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Friday, State Police received several reports of a car operating erratically, not having its lights on, and stopping in the left lane of I-495 south in Franklin, according to officials.

State Police also received a report that the car had been hit by another vehicle. When they arrived at the scene, they found the car abandoned and identified it as stolen, officials said.

State Police and Franklin police established and searched a perimeter, soon locating Campbell “hunkering down in a culvert,” according to the release.

“When Campbell saw police, he started yelling that he had a gun,” officials said. “Franklin Police deployed a taser, allowing the joint law enforcement team to arrest the man without further incident.”

Campbell was arraigned Monday in Lowell District Court and ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for May 12.

An investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Lowell police, and State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office remains ongoing.

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