Suspected drunk driver runs over police officer, employee after bar fight in Cook County
Gorge Alberto
PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. - A Prospect Heights police officer and a bar employee were hit by a suspected drunk driver following a fight at HOME Bar Sunday morning.
Officers responded to a bar fight at House of Music & Entertainment in the northwest suburbs at 4 a.m.
A HOME Bar employee and an officer were in the parking lot trying to break up the fight when one of the suspects got in their car and fled.
Police say the suspect, 22-year-old Gorge Alberto, of Palatine, struck the employee and the officer while fleeing. They were both taken to an area hospital.
The officer suffered bruising and was later released. The HOME Bar employee suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released from the hospital.
Police located Alberto driving in Palatine and stopped the vehicle at Rand and Bayside.
Responding officers said Alberto allegedly showed signs of impairment. Field Sobriety Tests were conducted and confirmed that the driver was impaired.
He was placed in custody and transported to the Prospect Heights Police Department. While in custody, the driver refused all testing that would provide a blood alcohol concentration level.
Alberto was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated DUI and failure to remain at the scene of a personal injury.