Late Monday night, an SUV collided with a family in Dayton, resulting in a 9-year-old girl being hospitalized.
According to Sgt. Gordon Cairns, a family crossing the street on a crosswalk at Wayne Avenue and Clover Street was hit by a vehicle making a left-hand turn around 9:20 p.m. The incident was reported on News Center 7 at 5:00, and Dayton police and medics were immediately called to the scene.
The father was holding a baby as the driver collided with their family of five.
According to Cairns, the child on her bicycle was caught by the driver’s SUV and dragged down the street for approximately half a mile near the intersection of Keowee Street and Fifth Street. Fortunately, the child became dislodged from the vehicle before any further harm could be done.
According to Cairns, the driver fled from the scene, however, thanks to the quick thinking of citizens who witnessed the accident, the police were able to catch him. They followed the driver and were able to provide his whereabouts to the authorities.
Authorities have apprehended a male suspect, aged 55, who is now facing felony charges that include aggravated vehicular assault, hit and run, and OVI.
Police have reported that although the 9-year-old girl is currently in the ICU, she is expected to survive. The other family members involved in the incident sustained only minor injuries.