MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Students involved in an after-school program are recovering in a hospital after a driver suffered a heart attack and hit their van, ejecting at least two of the students, say police.
Two sisters were at Jackson Memorial Hospital Wednesday night. According to the girls' family, one of the 12-year-olds is suffering from severe head injuries and is still on a respirator. The other 12-year-old girl has minor scrapes and scratches, the family said.
The crash happened at 1131 NW 199th Street about 4:52 p.m. Wednesday.
"He (the van's driver) told me he got hit. He saw the guy -- he saw the guy getting ready to run the light. He tried avoiding and he just barreled through the light," said Cleveland Roberts III with the CRS Community Development.
Police identified the driver as 55-year-old Fred Sparks.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue technicians treated at least three children between 11 and 13-years-old. The 12-year-old girls were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. One child was taken to Joe DiMaggio's Children Hospital by the parents.
The driver who suffered a heart attack was taken by ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital. His condition was not immediately released.