Car Slams Into Packed Restaurant in Illinois, Injuring 14

A quiet lunch hour turned into chaos Wednesday afternoon when a car plowed directly into a busy Portillo’s restaurant in the Chicago suburb of Oswego, injuring 14 people and sending eight to local hospitals in what authorities are calling a “likely accident.”

The crash happened around 1:15 p.m. at the Portillo’s located on Route 34, just as customers filled the restaurant for lunch. According to witnesses, the vehicle smashed through the front entrance without warning, leaving a trail of shattered glass, overturned tables, and stunned patrons in its wake.

“It was like a bomb went off,” said Kevin Morris, 42, who had just picked up his Italian beef sandwich when he heard the impact. “People were screaming. It was absolute chaos.”

Emergency responders rushed to the scene within minutes, and Oswego police say a full crash reconstruction team has been deployed. Officials have not yet released the name of the driver, but they confirmed that the preliminary investigation suggests the incident was not intentional.

“Investigators and a Traffic Reconstruction Officer are responding to conduct a thorough investigation of the crash,” the Oswego Police Department posted on social media. “It is believed to be an accident.”

Eight victims were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Six others were treated at the scene and released. No fatalities have been reported.

Portillo’s, the beloved Chicago-style chain known for hot dogs and chocolate cake, issued a somber statement hours after the crash:

“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,” the statement read. “Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our guests and team members.”

The restaurant will remain closed for the rest of the day while authorities assess the damage and complete their investigation.

The crash sent shockwaves through Oswego, a normally quiet suburb about 50 miles west of Chicago. Route 34 was shut down in both directions near the restaurant as police worked to secure the scene.

Village President Ryan Kauffman urged residents to steer clear of the area.

“Please avoid the area, and check the Village of Oswego Police page for updates,” he said on Facebook.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and will continue for several hours. No charges have been filed as of Wednesday evening, and officials are working to determine whether a medical emergency or mechanical failure played a role in the crash.

“We are grateful to the emergency responders who arrived quickly,” Portillo’s said. “We are working closely with local authorities to aid their investigation.”

This marks the second vehicle-into-building incident in the region this summer, reigniting conversations about safety measures in high-traffic commercial zones.