Five children, ages 1 to 13, and two adults are in the hospital after a stolen car struck their van on Plainfield Pike Road/Route 14A in Plainfield on Tuesday afternoon.
Police learned that a blue Toyota Camry had been stolen from 45 Lillibridge Road around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Witnesses told police the stolen car was driving westbound at a high rate of speed on Plainfield Pike Road, passing other vehicles in a no-passing zone. The car struck a green Ford Econoline getting off the Interstate 395 exit ramp near Starkweather Road, flipping the van onto its side, police said.
The driver of the van, 44-year-old RaeAnn Pettigrew of Moosup, and 24-year-old passenger Krystyna Rathburn, were taken to the hospital along with two 13-year-olds and children ages 1, 9 and 12, according to police. Their injuries are non-life threatening.
The driver of the Camry, identified as 40-year-old Douglas Phillips of 49 Lillibridge Road, just next door to the home from which he allegedly stole the sedan, suffered serious injuries, police said.
Authorities are investigating.
