Three people struck by cars in downtown Des Plaines, two victims are in critical condition

Three people were struck by vehicles in almost the same spot on Miner Street about two hours apart on Thursday afternoon in downtown Des Plaines. Two of the victims were in critical condition Thursday night, officials said.

According to a news release by the Des Plaines Police Department, a 69-year-old woman was crossing Miner Street in the crosswalk at the Pearson Street intersection at 1:44 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle on the westbound side of the street. The vehicle was driven by an 88-year-old man, according to the release.

Acting Des Plaines Fire Battalion Chief Jim Hall said the woman was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in critical condition.

About two hours later, at 3:51 p.m., two 13-year-old girls riding their bikes across Miner Street were struck by a car driven by a 32-year-old woman on the eastbound side of the street, according to the police news release. Hall said the girls were struck almost in same spot as the woman had been struck earlier.

According to the news release, the second crash was witnessed by police officers who were still on the scene from the first crash.

Adriana Losacco, who witnessed the second crash and spoke about it to ABC 7 reporters, said she rushed to help one of the 13-year-old girls.

"She was screaming. The victim was screaming, and I was trying to, I was like, 'You're fine. You're fine,'" Losacco said. "All I saw was a head injury, from what I could tell. The cop kept telling her not to move because they didn't know how extensive it was."

Losacco said the impact shattered the car's windshield.

Both girls were taken to Lutheran General, one in critical condition and the other with minor injuries, Hall said.

Police said the 32-year-old driver was taken to Northwest Community Hospital for an examination.

Charges against the drivers are pending, according to the news release.