A New Jersey teen driver allegedly plowed an SUV into a group of minors walking on a sidewalk, trapping one of them under the hulking vehicle.
The group of high school students, ages 14 to 16, was walking on the side of E Gibbsboro Road — down the street from Lindenwold High School and in front of an apartment complex — when they were struck around 2:11 p.m., Lindenwold Police said.
The alleged teen driver had been driving a silver Cadillac Escalade down the street when the SUV violently swerved off the road, jumping the curb and onto the sidewalk.
The half-a-dozen teens were then struck by the car, according to surveillance video obtained by NJ.com.
The car was propelled across the sidewalk, nearly hitting a utility pole and crashing into a metal fence.
At least one of the teens was found trapped underneath the front of the car and was flown to a hospital for treatment.
The other five victims were left in undisclosed conditions and transported to local hospitals.
Officials said all victims were recovering with no reported fatalities.
The crash occurred down the road from Lindenwold High School in front of an apartment complex and grocery store.
Grocery worker Dennis Woodley had just finished a shift at his nearby story when he sprang into action to help the injured teens.
“Soon as I clocked out, I heard the crash happen so I ran immediately to the crash. Because they said it was high school kids,” Woodley told Fox29.
“I seen the girl that was lying on the sidewalk. Her leg was pinned under the tire. After that, I heard a voice saying ‘Help,’ but it was a little faint and then I went outside of the fence and I seen a kid under the front bumper.”
Woodley claimed the 16-year-old driver attempted to flee the scene, but he and his co-worker, who had pulled him out of the car, prevented the escape.
“I restrained him, I put him in a full Nelson, I said you’re under citizen’s arrest, and you’re not leaving until the police get here,” Woodley said. Police have not confirmed whether the driver tried to flee.
Police detained the driver and an unidentified passenger at the scene.
Charges have since been filed against the teen driver, who faces one count of 2nd degree aggravated assault, six counts of third degree aggravated assault and one count of joyriding.
He was remanded to Camden County Juvenile Detention Center, police said.
Lindenwold school district Superintendent Kristin P. O’Neil called Tuesday’s crash an “accident.”
“Today, I hope we all hug our children a little longer and take a moment to share a kind thought, prayer, or expression of support for the children who are recovering and for the families, friends, and loved ones who are caring for them,” O’Neil wrote to the school district community, according to NJ.com.
