MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A driver was arrested for DWI after six pedestrians were hit by a car in Minneapolis on Sunday, according to police.
Authorities said the accident happened at about 3 p.m. near the intersection of Oak Street and Washington Avenue near the University of Minnesota campus. The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Kristine J. Peterson, was turning left onto Oak Street and told authorities she didn’t see the pedestrians crossing the street.
Police said six people were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. Five of the six victims have been released and one is still hospitalized. Authorities said the injuries don’t appear to be life-threatening and everyone is expected to recover.
Michael Duffy is a student at the U and said he was walking with his dad in the crosswalk when they were suddenly struck by the vehicle.
“I didn’t see the car coming at all,” he said. “I remember being in mid-air and not really knowing what was happening and then I hit the ground.”
He suffered bruises and scrapes but said his dad, 58-year-old Kevin Duffy, is still being hospitalized for a broken leg and a head injury. His girlfriend was also hurt in the incident.
Kevin Duffy’s condition has been upgraded to satisfactory and is doing better.
Hana Felix, a U of M freshman, and her friend, Katie Jensen were walking across the street to get a bite to eat when they noticed a vehicle coming towards them. Felix said she thought the car was going to stop but it seemed to speed up, instead.
“She got out of the car and said, ‘I didn’t see anyone, I didn’t see anyone,’ and she was crying,” Felix said. “The scary part happened after the crash, just making sure everyone was OK because it could have been a lot worse. We were lucky to walk away with bruises and scrapes.”
Authorities said alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash, and Peterson was arrested for DWI.
Peterson does not appear to have a criminal history. A witness said she was looking down at a map when the accident occurred, but police could not confirm that.
The accident is still under investigation, and Peterson has a court date scheduled for Nov. 26.
