The International Business Times reports that a heroic teen is in the hospital in critical condition after he placed himself between an oncoming vehicle and a group of children in Phoenix on Wednesday.
At just before 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of Central Avenue and Roeser Road, Francisco Solis Garcia and three other kids ranging in age from 12 to as young as 4-years-old were crossing the intersection in a marked crosswalk. As they were crossing, Garcia spotted an oncoming Dodge Charger that was making a left turn and refused to stop.
To keep the other kids from being struck by the oncoming vehicle, Garcia pushed them aside before being hit himself.
Emergency crews rushed Garcia to an area hospital for treatment. Officials say the teen has gone through surgery after the crash and is currently recovering. The ABC affiliate station in Phoenix reports that Garcia is currently listed in critical condition.
A spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department said that one of the children was slightly hit by the oncoming car but appeared to have been uninjured. The other two children were also unhurt in the crash.
A female passenger who was in the vehicle at the time of the crash said that the driver did not see anyone in the crosswalk before the accident happened.
A 20-year-old man was driving the car that hit Garcia. He stayed at the scene of the crash. Police have not stated whether the driver will face any charges in the incident. His identity has not been released.
