Toddler Dies, 13 Hurt After Car Crashes Into Oswego Portillo's

Summary:
A car slammed into a Portillo’s restaurant in Oswego, Illinois, killing a 2-year-old and injuring 13 others. Authorities say the incident appears accidental and remains under investigation.

A tragic incident unfolded Wednesday afternoon when a vehicle plowed into a Portillo’s restaurant in Oswego, Illinois, leaving one child dead and over a dozen others injured.

Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin reported that around 2 p.m., a 2011 Lincoln MKZ collided with the restaurant located on U.S. Route 34 near Douglas Road.

The collision resulted in injuries to 14 people. Of those, eight individuals were transported to the hospital for medical treatment, while six received care at the scene. According to Bastin, a 2-year-old child inside the restaurant was among those taken to the hospital, where the child later passed away. Fire officials noted that three other individuals sustained severe injuries.

The driver, identified as a 50-year-old woman, was hospitalized as well. Chief Bastin confirmed that all the remaining injured parties had been inside the restaurant when the crash occurred.

Eyewitness Brian Wallers recounted standing outside the restaurant following the incident when a distraught woman approached, searching for her daughter.

“We were just standing here watching everything, and she came up to us. She had just arrived and was clearly distressed. She said she couldn’t find her daughter and wasn’t getting any response from her. The girl had been inside Portillo’s around the time of the crash,” Wallers explained.

Wallers said he advised the woman to check at Rush Copley Medical Center, where the majority of the injured had been taken. He expressed hope that the woman’s daughter was either unharmed or had escaped with minor injuries.

Investigators remained at the site for several hours to determine the cause of the crash, which police believe was unintentional. Authorities urged the public to steer clear of the area to allow emergency personnel and investigators to work safely.