Sheriff Troy Goodnough said in a press conference Saturday evening that a woman drove her car into a child’s birthday party, killing two children and injuring 15 others.
According to authorities, the two youngsters pronounced dead at the scene were siblings, an 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy.
Around 3 p.m., a woman drove a car through a wall at the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County, Michigan, stopping 25 feet inside, according to authorities.
First responders assisted 15 victims on the site. Nine people were sent to nearby hospitals with critical, life-threatening injuries, either by ambulance or helicopter. Three of the nine transferred were children, while the remaining six were adults. The sheriff took others at the site to hospitals in private vehicles.
According to Goodnough, the 66-year-old suspect was detained at the scene on suspicion of operating a vehicle while drunk, resulting in his death. Monroe County Jail is currently holding him.
According to Sheriff Goodnough, first responders described the situation as “extremely chaotic.”
The number of people inside the party is still being investigated.
The Swan Boat Club is located on Lake Erie, approximately 30 miles south of Detroit.
“Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers,” the institution stated in a social media post. “We thank everyone for their concern and prayers.”
