police car
A teenage driver fleeing police crashed his car at an intersection, killing a 3-year-old and injuring several other people on the sidewalk in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Nov. 21. In this photo, a police cruiser on S. Roadway outside of Public Square in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 21, 2014. Getty Images

A teenager fleeing Waterbury police on Tuesday afternoon lost control of his vehicle on South Main Street in Waterbury, Connecticut, and crashed into pedestrians, killing a 3-year-old.

According to the Connecticut State Police, the crash occurred Tuesday afternoon when Waterbury police officers in an unmarked car attempted to stop an 18-year-old male suspect who was driving an Acura and was involved in a criminal investigation by the department.

Identified as Zekhi Eric Lee, the suspect then became involved in a crash with a Toyota Corolla at the intersection of South Main St. and East Liberty St. in Waterbury and veered off onto the sidewalk. During the course of the crash, four pedestrians who were on the sidewalk were struck by one of the vehicles.

Lee tried to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended by officers a short while later. Fox 61 quoted the state police as saying: "During the course of the vehicle collision, four pedestrians on the sidewalk were struck by one of the vehicles. A light pole was also struck and knocked down. Immediately after crashing, the suspect fled his vehicle on foot, however was apprehended by Waterbury Police Officers a short time later."

The 3-year-old was killed in the crash and the other pedestrians were taken to area hospitals. He was identified as Justin Quiroz. CBS affiliate WFSB said a second child, who is believed to be 5 or 6 years old, was also among those taken to the hospital with injuries.

"A total of five people were transported to hospitals: One adult female pedestrian was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital. One adult female pedestrian was transported via Life Star to St. Francis Hospital with serious injuries. One 19-month-old female pedestrian was transported via Life Star to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center," the statement read.

The man who was operating the vehicle that was struck by the suspect’s vehicle was also taken to the hospital. However, the extent of his injuries is not known.

"A couple of the troopers are over there," said Trooper Kelly Grant. "They are shaking their head when they look at the scene because it affects everybody. It affects the troopers it affects the police officers. It affects everybody who's at the scene," reported WTNH.

A witness, Kelly Smith told the network: "We all ran over [to try and help them]."

"A couple pedestrians took the pole off of the baby and we [saw] the baby was [not in good shape]."

"If you see a cop behind ya pull over," a person from the neighborhood, Tommy Hedges said. "Why risk lives when you don't have to."

Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime (WDMC) detectives responded to the scene and took charge of the investigation on the crash at the request of the State’s Attorney’s Office, the statement read. The Connecticut State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Squad (CARS) also responded to the scene and will be involved in the investigation.

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