WILTON MANORS, FLA. (WSVN) - A driver struck several children in a Wilton Manors street and fled the scene, leaving two of them dead and sending four others to the hospital, authorities said.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the hit-and-run occurred Monday just before 3 p.m. near Northwest 24th Street and Ninth Avenue.
Detectives said a 2009 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Ninth Avenue while a Broward County Transit bus was stopped to drop off a passenger.
The bus pulled out to continue driving southbound, merging into the right lane from the edge of the roadway. The male driver of the Honda did not allow the bus to merge and cut in front of the bus, officials said.
The Honda then veered right and drove off the roadway and onto the sidewalk, striking the victims.
Audio from first responders underscores the severity of the crash.
“Vehicle versus pedestrians, unknown how many. There are five minors in the vehicle accident. One child is underneath the vehicle,” said a 911 dispatcher.
About three hours later, 7SkyForce HD hovered above a very active scene, as Wilton Manors Police shut down several blocks of Northwest Ninth Avenue.
A spokesperson for Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue confirmed two victims were pronounced dead on the scene.
They have since been identified as 6-year-old Andrea Fleming and 5-year-old Kylie Jones.
Investigators confirmed the driver sped away.
“It was a hit-and-run, and the driver fled, and detectives are looking into the circumstances around how exactly it happened,” said BSO spokesperson Miranda Grossman.
“It’s sickening,” said an area resident.
7News cameras captured the deceased victims covered by yellow tarps, one near a sidewalk and the other closer to the middle of the road.
The other victims were transported to Broward Health Medical Center.
The transported victims have since been identified as Draya Fleming, 9, Laziyah Stokes, 9, Johnathan Carter, 10, and Audre Fleming, 2.
“This is a heartbreaking evening for everyone, for family, friends, and for the first responders that responded to the scene,” said Grossman.
Cameras showed family members consoling each other outside the hospital.
The scene was so devastating for all involved that even first responders were provided with grief counselors.
“[The victims’] ages are anywhere between one and 10 years out. We can’t give out specific [information] at this time,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Stephen Gollan. “It’s just a horrible situation.”
Of the children who were taken to the hospital, two are listed in critical condition and two are listed in serious condition.
Neighbors said speed is often an issue on the stretch of Ninth Avenue, just south of Oakland Park Boulevard, where the crash took place.
“Every single day, there’s cars doing 80, 90 miles an hour, ‘vroom!'” said an area resident.
Authorities have not yet released any information regarding the vehicle involved.
After the sun set, cameras showed pieces of evidence at the scene, including a bumper and what appeared to be other car parts.
On Tuesday morning, detectives said the Honda was located in Wilton Manors.
The investigation continues.
“If you have seen anything, know anything, have any video, please contact Broward Sheriff’s [Office] and help us solve this,” said Gollan.
If you have any information on this hit-and-run, call BSO or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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