Baby, toddler killed when police chase ends in crash

EVANSVILLE, Ind. -- A car being chased by Evansville police collided with another vehicle, killing two young children in the southwestern Indiana city, authorities said Thursday.

Fredrick McFarland, 26, was fleeing from pursuing officers when his vehicle entered an intersection and collided Wednesday night with a second car that was carrying several people, including the two children, police said.

Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear identified the crash victims Thursday as seven-month-old Prince Carter and 2-year-old Princess Carter.

Prince Carter died Wednesday night and Princess Carter died early Thursday. Police said several other people were taken to the hospital from the crash scene. The Courier & Press reports the children's parents were among the victims who were injured and suffered serious injuries.

Evansville police Sgt. Jason Cullum said Thursday the chase began when officers tried to stop McFarland because his car had false plates. Cullum said that the department wants to "extend our condolences" to the youngsters' family. He said deaths are the first in Evansville involving a police chase since September 2009.

The coroner ruled the deaths homicides, the Courier & Press reports, indicating that the deaths were caused by someone else.

The children's grandfather Dwayne Johnson spoke at an emotional vigil Thursday, the paper reports.

"They took my babies away from me," Johnson said.

McFarland remained hospitalized with crash injuries. He faces a preliminary felony charge of fleeing from police and is expected to face additional charges.