Six teenagers walking along a New Jersey sidewalk were sent to hospitals after a Cadillac SUV left the roadway, struck the group, and trapped one of them beneath the vehicle.
The crash happened shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, along East Gibbsboro Road in Lindenwold, a few blocks from Lindenwold High School. Lindenwold Police said officers arrived to find the SUV on the sidewalk and six injured pedestrians between 14 and 16 years old.
One teenager was pinned beneath the vehicle. Fire and rescue crews lifted the SUV, freed the teen, and transported the victim by medical helicopter to Cooper University Hospital. The other five teenagers were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
Surveillance footage obtained by 6abc Action News later showed the white Cadillac turning onto Gibbsboro Road, crossing the curb, and crashing into the group before people nearby rushed toward the scene.
Off The Road
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Police initially detained two people who had been inside the SUV while officers worked to determine what had happened.
By Wednesday, police had identified the driver only as a 16-year-old because the case involves a juvenile.
The teen was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated assault, six counts of third-degree aggravated assault, and one count of joyriding.
Police have not publicly explained the circumstances behind the joyriding charge or identified who owns the Cadillac. They also have not disclosed how fast the SUV was traveling before it went onto the sidewalk.
The charges are accusations and are not findings of guilt.
After The Impact
Video from the scene showed heavy damage to the Cadillac’s windshield and front end. The SUV came to rest partly on the sidewalk near a damaged fence.
The initial police statement said the victims’ conditions were still being evaluated. By Wednesday, Action News reported that all six continued to recover.
The collision also reverberated through Lindenwold High School.
Students told the station that school officials spoke with them about the crash the following morning, including the need for caution behind the wheel and counseling resources available to anyone struggling with what happened.
Superintendent Kristin P. O’Neil separately urged the community not to circulate unverified information about the conditions of those involved and asked people to respect the privacy of the minors.
Case Moves Forward
The 16-year-old driver was taken to the Camden County Juvenile Detention Center following the charges.
Because juvenile proceedings carry additional confidentiality protections, police have not released the driver’s name. They also have not said whether the driver attends Lindenwold High School.
The initial investigation involved Lindenwold Police, along with fire and rescue crews, and assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police said the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains active.
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