INDIANAPOLIS — The Marion County Prosecutor's Office filed formal charges against a 27-year-old man for his alleged role in a two-car crash that injured several people, including three children critically, Tuesday afternoon on the near east side of Indianapolis.
Tramayne Harris, of Indianapolis, faces the following charges:
- Eight counts of causing catastrophic injury when operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated
- Four counts of criminal recklessness
- One count of a learners' permit violation
Prosecutors requested Harris be held in the Community Justice Campus for seven days without bond for "initiating a revocation of probation." The prosecutor's office said Harris was already on federal probation for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
If Harris bonds out of jail, prosecutors are also requesting he be on home detention, GPS monitoring and alcohol monitoring. Prosecutors issued these requests because they said Harris has a history of failing to appear for court hearings and poses a risk to the physical safety of others.
Indianapolis Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith said two adults and six children were injured in the crash between a white SUV and a silver car, which happened around 3:45 p.m. July 23 at the intersection of East New York Street and North State Avenue.
According to court documents, one woman and six children were in the SUV, and one man was in the car.
Three children were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Both adults and the three other children are reportedly "stable," according to Reith.
James Williams, the owner of Tons of Tires South East, which is near the intersection, provided 13News with security camera video of the crash.
In the video, you can see the white SUV heading east on New York Street when the silver car, allegedly driven by Harris, speeds down State Avenue before crashing right into the SUV.
A closer look shows the light was red for several seconds before the car even got to the intersection.
According to court documents, data from the car's Airbag Control Module revealed the car was going the following speeds in the 30-mph zone:
- 97 mph three seconds before the crash
- 87 mph two seconds before the crash
- 84 mph one second before the crash
- 71 mph just before impact
According to court documents, an officer at the scene found a bottle of tequila – which was 1/3 empty – under the driver's seat of the car.
Since Harris was unable to undergo field sobriety tests, court documents say Harris underwent a blood draw at Eskenazi Hospital three hours after the crash, which showed his blood alcohol content was 0.145% — nearly double the legal limit in Indiana.
“It shook the building. I know that,” Williams said.
According to Williams, speeding is a constant issue in the area.
“No stranger to it. People in a hurry or trying to get to where they are going or around the corner, wherever that might be. People don’t realize they are putting everybody else in danger,” Williams said.
Williams is hoping the surveillance video will slow people down and make them think twice when behind the wheel.
“Because people need to see that, babies laying in the street, maybe that will get somebody’s attention,” Williams said.
IMPD initially said one person died in the crash but issued a clarification that the person was revived and is now in critical condition.
According to court documents, medics thought the 8-year-old boy who was ejected from the SUV did not survive his injuries. However, medics performed lifesaving measures and revived him.
One day after the crash, a detective went to Riley Hospital for Children to check on the victims who were in the SUV:
- Woman: Fractured bone in neck; rib fracture close to heart; fractured bone in back (released from IU Methodist Hospital)
- 14-year-old: Contusion to right hip; seatbelt contusion to right hip and shoulder; contusion to right elbow
- 12-year-old: Second-degree contusion; brain fog; orbital fracture; facial lacerations; possible spinal injury; still in neck brace awaiting X-rays
- 10-year-old: Unconscious at the hospital; traumatic brain injury; vaginal trauma; fractured pelvis
- 8-year-old: Unconscious at the hospital; traumatic brain injury; fractured pelvis; fractured right elbow; fractured left foot; lacerated liver; fractured left orbital; left scalp bruise; pulmonary contusions
- 4-year-old: Multiple right lower pulmonary contusions; lower exterior abdominal contusion; abrasions on forehead, fingers and lower extremities
- 2-year-old: Laceration on top of head; contusion to side of head