A woman is in custody after police say she lost control of her vehicle and struck four people, including two children, while under the influence.
Police say Erika Williams, 28, was driving a blue Oldsmobile at a high speed shortly before 11 p.m. on the 900 block of Anchor Street Saturday night when a ball came into the roadway. Investigators say the woman tried to swerve but ended up striking a 5-year-old girl. She then jumped a curb and struck a 2-year-old boy, 36-year-old woman and 33-year-old woman, according to investigators.
The girl and boy were both taken to St. Christopher's Hospital. The girl is currently in critical condition after suffering a severe leg injury. The boy suffered a dislocated pelvis and is currently in stable condition.
The 36-year-old woman was taken to Temple Hospital and treated for leg and head pain as well as a laceration on her hand. The 33-year-old woman was taken to Frankford Torresdale Aria Hospital where she is listed in stable condition.
Nicole Giles, a neighbor of the victims, described the condition of the 5-year-old girl immediately after the crash.
“She was just bleeding,” said Giles while on the verge of tears. “She wasn’t moving. It just hurts my heart because I have a child her age.”
Witnesses also say several people sprang into action during the accident, pulling the car off of the victims before emergency crews arrived.
"It was natural instinct," said Nature Williams. "The first thing that came to my mind when they said the baby was under the car was to pull the car."
Williams was taken into custody after the accident. She is charged with driving under the influence, aggravated assault while driving under the influence, criminal mischief, simple assault and other related offenses.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
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