Girl, 11, critically injured when car crashes into Chatham porch

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago fire officials said seven people are injured, including an 11-year-old girl who is in 'very critical' condition, after a car crashed into a porch in the city's Chatham neighborhood.

The crash occurred about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday in the 8000 block of South Vincennes, fire officials said. After hitting a Chevy Impala, a red Nissan SUV fled south on Vincennes, where it hit another a Chevy Cruz, injuring a driver. The Impala then struck the 11-year-old girl on the sidewalk and then crashed into a building, according to police and fire officials.

The girl was pinned to the porch of the building, police said. She was taken to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital in very critical condition. Witnesses said the crash was horrific.

"She was just slumped over bleeding, and she was twitching. And I thought she was dead. Then I seen her. I said, 'No. She's alive. Somebody help her,'" said John Stringfellow, who witnessed the crash.

The girl had just gone to get sweets at a corner candy stand when she was hit.

"He just jumped the curb, and I seen him going towards our building. And when I looked, I seen a little girl there with a red shirt, and I said 'Oh my god.' And I seen him take her," Stringfellow said.

"He was still stuck on the accelerator. When I came downstairs, I seen the truck over the top of her little body," said another witnessed, who did not want to be identified. "I can't get it out of my mind. I can't get it out of my mind."

The driver of the Nissan was taken to Christ hospital in serious condition. A 17-year-old boy and 40-year-old woman in the Impala were taken to Holy Cross Hospital where their conditions stabilized. The driver of the Chevy Cruz was taken to Roseland Hospital with minor injuries and is in stable condition. Two other people were taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition.

Chicago police are investigating the crash and why the driver apparently lost control.

"Seen the girl plenty of times in the neighborhood. She's always a friendly little girl. She's always nice," Stringfellow said.

A family friend said the girl is a fifth grader at Westcott Elementary on the South Side.