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Two Young Girls Seriously Injured After Hit By Car

Monday, October 08, 2007

HANCOCK PARK, Oct. 8, 2007 (KABC-TV) (KABC) -- Two young girls have been seriously injured after being hit by a car in Hancock Park Monday morning.

The driver was taken into custody by police Monday morning. Authorities say that he hit the two young girls in a crosswalk with his Nissan Maxima.

Police say the driver tried to run from the scene, but a good samaritan made sure that he went back.

"Once he exited he turned and walked southbound on the side street. He was then followed by a witness that observed the accident. This witness followed him around the corner and was able to stop him and advise him that he was improperly leaving the scene of the accident. He then enticed him into getting into his vehicle and returning to the location," says Det. Mike Fischer, LAPD.

Police then arrested the 24-year-old driver. The 11-year-old and 12-year-old, who are sisters, were on their way to John Burroughs Middle School when they were hit. They are in serious condition.

"I heard a screech and then I heard a thud," says Tricia Burwell, local resident.

Burwell says that she heard the accident Monday morning. She says she always walks her daughter to school because the crosswalk at Olympic and Keniston is dangerous.

"I will not let her cross the street alone. The cars do not stop. It is never a steady stream walking across the street. You have you to stop at each lane and make sure that the cars gonna stop and quite often they don't," explains Burwell.

Police do acknowledge that the crosswalk is dangerous. They say that witnesses told them that while other cars paused as the girls crossed, the driver that was arrested did not.

The driver has been booked on felony hit-and-run charges. Police say that he was going the speed limit, but he did not have a drivers license on him.

The two young girls are in serious condition. They being treated at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. One of the them has injuries to the head and other has injuries to the leg and shoulders.

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