A driver faces charges after police say he slammed into a child’s birthday party in Bladensburg, Maryland, on Saturday, killing a woman and injuring 13 people, including eight children.
Disturbing images show the aftermath of the crash on 56th Avenue. A light-colored sedan crashed inside a white tent that was set up on a family’s lawn for the party.
A doorbell recorded the sound of the horrific crash and panicked screams.
Victims were trapped under the car. Witnesses said they saw the driver run from the scene, that he was stumbling and that he never tried to help the victims.
Sunday Joseph, 66, of D.C., is the driver, Bladensburg Acting Police Chief Daniel Frishkorn said at a news conference Monday. Investigators will work to determine whether he was speeding or under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, as some witnesses suspected. The crash was accidental and not targeted against the family, the chief said.
“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” Frishkorn said. “[…] I can’t imagine how terrifying this must have been, especially with children involved.”
Joseph was taken into custody Monday morning and faces charges including criminal negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter and failure to stay at the scene of a crash involving death.
Joseph was driving in reverse when he crashed into the party in the 4100 block of 56th Avenue, police said. Officers responded at about 10:15 p.m. and helped lift the car off the victims.
Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez, of D.C., was killed. She was 31, had roots in El Salvador and was part of a large, close-knit family.
The 13 other victims include eight children ranging in age from 17 to just a year old. As of Monday morning, one child and two adults were still hospitalized.
Joseph turned himself in to police on Sunday morning, nearly 10 hours after the crash, police said.
Charging documents say police did not conduct a blood test on Joseph. Investigators said video footage shows him driving in reverse without the headlights or taillights on. Officers said Joseph admitted he was driving but said alcohol was not involved.
Bladensburg residents said they’re heartbroken.
“I am very, very upset because that’s a loving family over there,” a neighbor said.
“They do not deserve this,” another said.
Relatives told News4 that children at the party are traumatized by what they experienced and haven’t been able to sleep.
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