2-year-old boy killed, 13 injured after car crashes into Portillo's in Oswego, police say
OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) -- A young boy was killed and 13 other people were injured after a car crashed into a Portillo's restaurant in the west suburbs Wednesday afternoon.
The crash happened around 1:55 p.m. at the restaurant packed with people at 2810 Route 34 in Oswego, police said.
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Eight people, including the driver of the vehicle, were taken to area hospitals for treatment, with three of them now dealing with serious injuries, police said. Six people were treated at the scene and were released.
A 2-year-old boy inside the restaurant later died at a hospital, police said. His identity has not yet been released.
The driver of the vehicle was a 50-year-old woman who was the only occupant, police said. The cause of the crash was not yet known, but preliminary information showed it appeared to be an accident, police said.
The public was asked to avoid the area as police continue to investigate.
One woman, Damaris Abella, was at a business next door to Portillo's. She explained what she saw after the crash.
"I saw a gentlemen running with what appeared to be a smaller child, and I saw somebody collapse in between two cars, and the dad or whoever the man was with the person started performing CPR," Abella said.
First responders arrived on scene to a parking lot filled with people as some of the bystanders were already trying to help the victims.
"They arrived on scene very quickly and quickly began performing cpr and injuries but yes it was chaotic," Oswego police Chief Jason Bastin said.
People living near the scene said it's difficult to comprehend this kind of tragedy.
"It's just sort of numbing," resident John Buchanan said. "We're gonna go home and hold each other tight."
Portillo's said in a statement, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving a car that struck our Oswego restaurant this afternoon, and our thoughts are with those affected by this incident. As we continue to assess this unfolding situation, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We are grateful to the emergency responders who arrived quickly onsite, and we are working closely with local authorities to aid their investigation. At this time, the Oswego Portillo's restaurant will remain closed through the end of the day. We will defer all additional questions to local law enforcement."
The Oswego restaurant will remain closed Thursday, a Portillo's spokesperson said.
No further information was available as police continue to investigate.
