Tussle Near Elmhurst Restaurant Leads To Charge: Cops

Elmhurst IL

04 May, 2022

7:55 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL – A fight occurred last month outside an Elmhurst restaurant after a driver honked at a pedestrian and told him to get out of his way, police said. Daryl G. Westergren, 63, of Lombard, was charged with battery. Patch obtained the full police report through a public records request. About 6 p.m. April 23, Westergren was walking into Portillo's, 155 S. Route 83, when a driver honked. The 25-year-old driver, who was with his girlfriend, told Westergren to get out of the way. By Westergren's account, the driver told him, "Get the f--- out of the way." The men started exchanging words. The driver told police that Westergren placed both hands on the driver's side window. Then, the driver told officers, Westergren grabbed his T-shirt and punched the driver on the left side of the face. The driver said he got out of his car, while they continued shouting at each other, police said. When the driver turned to leave, Westergren punched him on the right side of the face, causing a large red mark, according to the report. Westergren then went inside the restaurant. Westergren told officers he put his hands on the driver's window while they were yelling at each other. He told officers the driver pushed him away by opening the door. According to police, Westergren admitted to slapping the right side of the driver's face. Both men said a woman was taking video of the incident. But police said they could not find her. An officer informed Westergren that he would be charged with battery under a local ordinance. Police said Westergren understood.