PONTIAC, Mich. – Police say three children are in critical condition after the van they were in was hit by a car driven by a woman who was believed to be drunk Friday at 7:08 p.m.
Officers say 24-year-old Ieshia Barnes, of Pontiac, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer westbound on South Boulevard when she ran a red light and hit a 1999 Pontiac Montana van driven by a 23-year-old woman from Waterford. Police say the van was waiting to make a right turn onto Woodward Avenue from eastbound South Boulevard.
Witnesses say the Blazer ran the red light, made a quick turn to the left and T-boned the Montana. Upon impact, the Blazer was pushed back into a 2006 Dodge Magnum which was stopped at the red light facing eastbound on South Boulevard. The driver of the Magnum was uninjured and there was minor damage to his vehicle.
The driver of the van was taken to St. Joseph Hospital by Star EMS in Pontiac and was listed in serious condition.
The driver's 16-year-old brother, 3-year-old daughter and 2-year-old nephew were also in the van when it was hit.
Police say the 16-year-old was in the middle passenger seat during the accident. He was taken to St. Joseph Hospital and later transferred to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital in critical condition. He was seated behind the driver.
The 3-year-old girl, who was sitting in the back row of seats, was taken to St. Joseph Hospital and later airlifted to Beaumont. She is currently on life support, authorities say.
The 2-year-old boy was also in the back row of seats and was taken to St. Joseph Hospital. He was moved to Beaumont and is listed in critical condition.
Police say the driver of the Blazer was taken to St. Joseph Hospital and is listed in stable condition.
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the crash. A breath test administered to her drew a .156 blood alcohol content.
Barnes was arraigned Monday on three counts of operating under the influence and causing serious injury -- a 5-year felony. She is being held on a $500,000 cash/surety bond and is still hospitalized.
Police say all of the people involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts except for the 16-year-old boy. It's unknown if he was using a seatbelt during the crash.