Man charged with DUI in West Side crash where 2 children were ejected

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 27-year-old man faces several charges in connection with a three-vehicle crash where two children were thrown from a car in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood.

Police identified Ricky Pearson, of the 5600-block of South Morgan Street, as the driver of a Mercedes C300 that ran a red light at Lake and Hamlin around 6:25 a.m. Saturday. The Mercedes struck an Oldsmobile Regal, which spun and collided with a Chevrolet Town & Country minivan.

Two children were ejected from the Oldsmobile and transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition. A 25-year-old woman who was in the Oldsmobile was also hospitalized, police said. A 53-year-old passenger of the Oldsmobile and a 38-year-old driver of the Chevrolet refused transport to a hospital. Pearson was taken to Stroger Hospital in stable condition.

Pearson was charged with three counts of aggravated DUI causing an accident with bodily harm. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of DUI and driving on a suspended license; and cited for driving without insurance and disobeying a red light.

He is due in bond court Monday.