2 drivers charged after 3 teen pedestrians injured in Halloween crash

Two drivers have been charged after their vehicles collided and one car hit three teen pedestrians in the Don Mills area on Halloween night.

Two of theteens, a boy and girl, 13, were seriously injured. They are fraternal twins and arenow in hospital in stable condition.

Const. Clint Stibbe, spokesperson for Toronto police traffic services, said policereceived a call about the collision on Lawrence Avenue East west of Don Mills Road at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday.Three vehicles were involved in the crash.

• 3 teens struck by vehicle in Don Mills area, 2 in serious condition

Police said the three teens were out for Halloween. Candy bags were found at the scene.

The injured girl was originally thought to be in life-threatening condition. According to Toronto paramedics, she was transported to hospital, along with the boy, in non-life-threatening condition. The third teen, a boy, received minor injuries and was not taken to hospital.

The three teens were on the sidewalk when they were hit,Stibbesaid.

"I believe they were just pedestrians. I don't have information to say they were trick or treating," he said.

None of the drivers wasinjured.

'My heart was pounding'

Stibbe said a Honda CRV was westbound on Lawrence Avenue, west of Don Mills Road, when it hit the rear of a Hyundai. The Hyundai hit the third vehicle, a Volkswagen.The CRV veered north off the roadway, striking the three teens.

Witnesses told police the CRV was travelling faster than 100 kilometres per hour, according to Sgt. Brett Moore of Toronto police.

The driver of the CRV, 44, has been charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. The driver of the Hyundai, 35, was charged with driving with a blood alcohol levelover 80mg. The driver of the Volkswagen was not charged.

Arlene Dainty, a witness who lives in a nearby apartment, said she saw the teens shortly after they were struck by the car. She said she heard the crash and opened her blinds.

"They were seriously hurt," she said. "This was a loud crash. You could tell there was one to two to three cars. And I just happened to look out and see that one car hit our rental sign."

Brittany Smith, another witness whose grandmother lives in a nearby apartment, said cars often speed on thatstretch of Lawrence Avenue East where the crash occurred.

"I came by. I just heard the big bang and I just came running over and I saw the ambulance coming," she said. "I was crying.My heart was pounding."

Police are seeking witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information is urged to call police at 416-808-1900.