INDIANAPOLIS — IMPD officers are currently investigating a two-car crash that happened on the near east side of Indianapolis Tuesday afternoon.
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.
A witness said he saw a child ejected from one of the cars during the crash. The witness and other people ran to the car, which was smoking, and helped other children out.
"We were just praying for the little dude in the street," Jehan Harden said. "I pray to God he's alright."
Harden said the crowd tried to console the injured children and keep them safe until medics could arrive.
"When you see stuff like that, you're supposed to help," Harden said.
Three children were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Both adults and the three other children are reportedly "stable," according to Reith.
The owner of Tons of Tires South East, near the intersection, provided 13News with security camera video of the crash.
In the video, you can see a Ford Explorer heading east on New York Street when a silver Dodge Charger speeds down State Avenue before crashing right into the SUV.
A closer look shows the light was red for several seconds before the Dodge Charger even got to the intersection.
“It shook the building. I know that,” said James Williams, the owner of Tons of Tires South East.
Williams said 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.
Tuesday night, police said one of the drivers involved in the crash was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The case will be reviewed by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office to determine what formal charges may be filed.
The road was closed for several hours through Tuesday evening. It reopened around 8 p.m., according to IMPD.