Chicago Man Arrested After Trying To Hit Officer With Car: County

ELMHURST, IL — A Chicago man has had his bond set at $100,000 after being accused of trying to strike an Elmhurst police officer with his car during a traffic stop, the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said. Byron Auterberry, 33, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, all class 4 felonies.

The incident occurred at 4:46 p.m. Feb. 27 in Elmhurst. According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Elmhurst officers conducted a traffic stop on a car allegedly driven by Auterberry. During the stop, one of the police officers approached Auterberry’s vehicle from the front, and Auterberry allegedly drove his vehicle toward the officer, coming close to the the officer, who fired his service weapon.

The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said in a release Auterberry then allegedly crashed his car into another vehicle, before fleeing the scene. It is further alleged that as Auterberry drove toward the officer, he crashed his vehicle into another vehicle before fleeing the scene. Auterberry was taken into custody Wednesday without incident.

“Because of the alleged actions of Mr. Auterberry, what began as a traffic stop turned extremely serious and potentially deadly in just a matter of seconds,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a release. “Thankfully neither the officer nor any innocent bystanders were injured by Mr. Auterberry’s alleged attempt to flee the scene."

Auterberry’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 2 in front of Judge Robert Miller.

The DuPage County Major Crimes Task Force is currently reviewing the facts and circumstances of this case in regard to the officer firing his gun.

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