SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Three children were brought to the hospital after a BMW ran onto a sidewalk in Rolando Thursday afternoon, striking two of the children and their mother.
A 5-year-old friend of the family who was walking with them managed to leap out of the way of the oncoming car, which also struck a fire hydrant.
Fire officials say witnesses rushed in and lifted the car off the victims.
"Bystanders came running from everywhere, because from what I understand in talking to some people probably six gentlemen picked up the back of the car and moved it off the one child that was trapped under it," Matthew Doyle of San Diego Fire-Rescue said.
It happened around 3:30 p.m. near 62nd and Acorn streets. Fire officials say the car hit a fire hydrant and crashed onto the sidewalk, hitting the woman and three children.
The children were transported to Rady Children's Hospital. The mother and driver were also brought to a hospital.
Two of the victims, a 6-year-old girl and her two-year-old brother, remain hospitalized in stable condition. The 6-year-old suffered a broken collarbone and femur, while the boy suffered scrapes and bruises, according to a family friend. Their mother also suffered minor injuries.
According to authorities, the 18-year-old driver of the BMW, who was unlicensed, became distracted when a drink in the car's console spilled into her lap. She then lost control of the car, veering across both lanes and jumping the curb.
That driver, who was not injured, is expected to face a misdemeanor citation of driving without a license.