16-year-old charged after 6 teens hurt in crash in Lindenwold, New Jersey
A 16-year-old faces multiple charges following a crash that injured six teenagers in Lindenwold, New Jersey, shortly after school was dismissed Tuesday.
Police said the teenager was driving an SUV when it left the roadway and crashed into a group of people near Emerson Avenue and Gibbsboro Road, south of Lindenwold High School. The crash happened around 2:10 p.m., about 10 minutes after the school had dismissed for the day.
"Me and a couple of my friends were like crying because it's really heartbreaking to see my friend just get run over," said Arturo Caselin, who says his friend was trapped underneath the SUV. "It's crazy to know that he was just there and helpless and everybody here was just watching. They couldn't do anything, but I'm just glad he's all right."
The teen trapped under the SUV was rescued by first responders, Lindenwold police said. They said the victim was taken to the hospital by a medical helicopter and is in critical condition. Five additional teens were taken to area hospitals by ambulance with no major injuries, according to police.
Police say the victims range from 14 to 16 years old.
"Quite scary, like most of the people didn't come to school too because what happened was shocking because this is not normal to happen in this town," Joel Flores, who is a classmate of some of the victims, said.
According to the superintendent, several of the teens are part of the Lindenwold School District. Classmates said some of them play sports at the high school.
"They were on the soccer team, so I feel bad for them," Dilmer Chirinos said.
According to police, the driver and another person inside the SUV were detained at the scene.
The driver was later taken to the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center. He is charged with one count of second-degree aggravated assault, six counts of third-degree aggravated assault and one count of joyriding, Lindenwold police said Wednesday.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
A witness who works at the supermarket across the street told CBS News Philadelphia he was clocking out at the time of the crash. He raced across the street to try to help and claimed he wrestled with the driver shortly after the crash happened.
"Me and my coworkers seen the person who ran the kids over trying to escape the scene," Dennis Woodley said. "We pulled him out of the car. My coworker pulled him out of the car. He started fighting us. After he started fighting us, I said I got to take over here because I'm the older one here. I got to make sure everything's good. I restrained. I put him in a full nelson. I said, 'You're under citizen's arrest.' I said, 'You're not leaving until the police get here.'"
On Wednesday, Christopher Barker was out fixing signs that were posted on the fence near the crash site. Barker said the community is hurting and praying for the victims.
"My heart just dropped and I said, 'Why do these innocent kids have to suffer,'" Barker said. "We wish that the kids recuperate quickly and healthy."
