Indianapolis—
Tragedy struck a weekend fundraiser for the Indiana School for the deaf. A mother and her 15 year-old daughter were struck by a car while volunteering at a school fundraiser, and police say the driver hit them on purpose.That driver, 43 year-old Derek Dewitt, faces charges of attempted murder for running the two down near 56th Street and Kessler. It happened around 5:20 p.m. Saturday.
Police say he made a statement indicating he intentionally ran over 41 year-old Tina Boozer-Carter and her 15 year-old daughter.
Tina Boozer-Carter is now in "good" condition at Methodist Hospital. Her daughter remains critical according to hospital officials.
"A man came in and started signing(for the deaf) for us to call 911," said an eyewitness.
The man ran into the Starbucks at 56th and Emerson just feet from the crime scene.
"I saw teenagers with signs that they were doing car washes out here on 56th street," said Chris Hull.
"They were spraying each other with water and having fun washing the cars. To think anyone would run them down like this, it's unbelievable."
Police say the mother and her daughter were seen in the median on 56th street before Dewitt hit them.
An eyewitness saw a sheet over one of the victims.
She said police told her one of them had taken a turn for the worse at the hospital.
Dewitt is also charged with battery with serious injury and criminal recklessness. Police said Dewitt has a prior criminal record as well.
