A woman died and 13 people are hurt – including eight children – after a driver crashed into a child’s birthday party in Bladensburg, Maryland, on Saturday and then ran, authorities say.
Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, of D.C., was the woman killed. She was 31.
The crash victims include children age 1 to 17, police said.
The driver fled the scene and then turned himself in to police on Sunday, police said. The driver, identified as a 66-year-old man from D.C., is expected to face criminal charges.
According to Bladensburg police, the driver came from the direction of Annapolis Road and then crashed into people at the party in the 4100 block of 56th Avenue. Officers rushed to the scene about 10:15 p.m..
Family members described a horror scene. Several people got trapped under the car and used a jack to free them from beneath it.
The family said they saw the person they believed to be the driver running away after the crash while they were helping the victims. The family told News4 they do not know the man who turned himself in to police, but many of them saw his face.
Photos from the scene show a light-colored sedan inside a white party tent, with debris underneath.
Eight children and six adults, including the woman killed, were hurt in the crash, police said Sunday. Initially, police had said there were 11 crash victims.
“Six of the juvenile victims have been treated and released and one has been admitted and is in stable condition. Three adult victims have been admitted to the hospital and are in stable condition, one is pending treatment, and one has been released,” Bladensburg police said in a statement Sunday.
The victims were sent to Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., UM Capital Region Medical Center in Largo, Maryland and Howard University Hospital in D.C., Bladensburg police said.
The driver was interviewed by a crash investigator after surrendering, police said.
The family said the children are recovering and most were released from the hospital.
The adults in the family told News4 the children haven’t been able to sleep and are traumatized by what happened.
A family in mourning
Hernandez came from what neighbors described as a big and loving family that is now trying to come to grips with her death.
The family prayed and grieved together Sunday, saying they are in shock and want answers about what happened.
The family described Hernandez as full of life, known for her smile and warmth. She loved to go on vacation to El Salvador every year to visit her family.
Bladensburg police are set to give an update on Monday morning. Stay with NBC Washington for updates.
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