10 Children in Car During Police Chase and Crash in Georgia, 4 Airlifted in Critical Condition

A total of 10 children ages 11 to 17 were inside an allegedly stolen vehicle in Georgia when it led law enforcement on a chase and crashed as a result, leaving four children in critical condition and several others hospitalized.

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a report of a vehicle break-in on Lamar Road at around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, with a witness reporting the suspects were driving a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer. Deputies learned the Trailblazer had been reported stolen the day before.

The vehicle was located and a deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop, leading deputies in a pursuit.

On Mercer University Drive, west of Macon, a Georgia State Patrol unit that joined the pursuit performed a PIT maneuver, striking the vehicle. As a result, the suspect vehicle collided with a utility pole.

The driver, a 17-year-old male, fled on foot but was apprehended.

Deputies soon discovered a total of 10 children had been inside the vehicle. A 17-year-old girl received medical aid from paramedics and was later reported to be in stable condition. The remaining occupants had to be extracted from the vehicle.

Two 13-year-old boys, a 12-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy were airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, some 80 miles away, in critical condition. An 11-year-old boy was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

All of the remaining occupants were transported to the hospital for evaluation, the sheriff's office said.

The 17-year-old driver was transported to the Bibb County jail and charged with theft by receiving stolen property-auto. Three other boys, ages 12, 13, and 14, were transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center and charged with theft by receiving stolen property and entering auto.

The sheriff's office said the incident remains under investigation.

—TMX contributed to this report.