LA PLATA, Md. (June 5, 2007) - Four children were struck by an automobile this morning at approximately 8:30 a.m. on the 6700 block of Glen Albin Road in La Plata. The driver fled the scene, but was later apprehended by police.
A 4-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy were flown to Children’s Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., by Maryland State Police helicopter. Another 9-year-old boy was transported to Civista Medical Center in La Plata and a 17-year-old boy was treated on the scene by emergency medical services. The children attend Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School and were being supervised by an adult and a 17 year old.
The investigation by police revealed that several children were waiting for their school bus
by the side of the street. Witnesses told officers that a white Pontiac Grand Prix veered to the right and struck the children as they were sitting on the curb and standing on the sidewalk. The vehicle slowed but continued on running a stop sign at the end of the block.
Police broadcast a lookout for the suspect vehicle. At 8:52 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle on St. Patricks Drive off of Crain Highway in Waldorf. Physical evidence on the car lead officers to believe it was the suspect vehicle and a witness at the scene was able to confirm it.
The driver, Jacqueline E. Simmons, 29, of King George, was charged with driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, driving while impaired by a controlled drug substance, failure to stop after an accident with injury and failure to stop at a stop sign. Simmons is being held at the Charles County Detention Center pending an appearance before a district court commissioner.