WASHINGTON — Two young children and one adult, identified as their father, were hit by a car while walking to school on International Walk To School Day on Wednesday morning.
Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the area of Wheeler Road and Mississippi Avenue in Southeast D.C. around 9:20 a.m. for the reported collision. Police found two juveniles and an adult injured at the scene. The striking vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, stayed at the scene.
The driver who struck them is now facing multiple charges, including driving without a permit.
MPD's 7th District Watch Commander said two children, between the ages of six and nine, were walking with their father.
Police said the three pedestrians were in a crosswalk with the walk light on when the crash happened.
The children and the man were all taken to an area hospital for treatment of their injuries, which police said do not appear to be life-threatening.
One child has serious injuries, the other child and the adult have injuries not thought to be serious, and a fourth child who was not hit by the vehicle was also taken to the hospital with injuries not thought to be serious according to D.C. Fire Department officials who responded to the scene.
Robert ''Scotty" Scott said an accident like this one was bound to happen.
"They just fly down through here on both sides, I’m sorry for them kids, I’m sorry for the family. I’ve been telling them for years to put a camera in that box,” Scott said.
Investigators are still working to figure out what led to the crash.
Police believe the woman driving the Jeep made a left turn and hit the family. There is a speed bump roughly 50 yards away from the stoplight prior to the turn.
“It looks like the pedestrians were in the crosswalk and they did have the right of way,” The 7th District Watch Commander said.
The Watch Commander said the incident emphasizes the importance of slowing down and being mindful of surroundings as more kids are walking to school.
Police have not yet identified the adult victim or the driver in this case. The investigation is ongoing.
Oct. 6 is International Walk to School Day, where communities across the country emphasize safely walking to schools. October is also National Pedestrian Safety Month.
This is a developing story. We are working to confirm additional details. Stay with WUSA9 for the latest updates as they come in to our newsroom.