On July 13, 2023, at 9:50 p.m., the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a driving complaint and possible domestic violence situation on U.S. Highway 136 on the east edge of Colchester, Illinois. The complainant stated that they were being chased by another vehicle, a pickup truck. Another third-party complainant advised McDonough County Communications that a pickup truck was driving erratically and crossed the raised concrete median as if it was targeting another vehicle.
Deputies arrived in Colchester and located the suspect vehicle, a brown Chevy truck at 517 North Coal Street. Deputies identified the driver, Ryan A. Westerfeld, 20, of Colchester, IL.
Deputies and Colchester Fire/Rescue responded to the victim vehicle where several passengers were treated for minor injuries that were sustained in a crash. It was determined that the vehicle driven by Westerfeld struck another vehicle that was being driven by his ex-girlfriend.
Westerfeld was charged with Reckless Driving, Domestic Battery, and 2 counts of Aggravated Battery. Westerfeld was taken to the McDonough County Jail and lodged in lieu of bond.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
***Courtesy of the McDonough County Sheriff’s Office***
