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Five People, Including Toddler, Hurt In Pompano Beach Crash

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – Five people were hurt including a two year old child who was ejected from a vehicle after an early morning collision in Pompano Beach.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office, the cars collided in the 600 block of West Atlantic Boulevard at 6:40 Thursday morning.

"They were making a left turn and a car came out of nowhere and hit them," said Lamar Lane, a relative of the three people who were in the Grand Prix that was carrying the toddler.

The little girl's mother was driving.

Lane identified the driver of the Grand Prix as his niece, Utokia Terry.  The two year old, he said, is her daughter, Shania Stone.

"I was at work, they called me and let me know what happened, I came on up," said Lane.  It was a nerve-wracking trip from Miami where he was working

"I was stuck in traffic, trying to get here my mind was running, and making sure they were okay," says Lane.

Lane said his two nieces were on their way to work and the baby was being dropped off at daycare when the crash happened.

"My heart dropped, it was very wrenching," says Ella Terry, the mother of the two women who were in the Grand Prix.

She's relieved her granddaughter is going to be alright.

"The baby right now is in a room and doing fine," she said.

According to the Broward Sheriff's Office the car seat was not attached properly and the child was not properly restrained.

CBS4 spoke with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, life safety educator Melanie Oren about proper car seat installation.

Oren said there are a lot of variables when it comes to proper installation and parents should read the car seat instructions carefully and the vehicle's manual closely.

Oren said in each case you have to know the age and weight of the child, the type of seat and the model.  It can make a big difference whether the seat has a latch or needs to be attached with a seatbelt system.

"Make sure the seats are secured and don't move more than an inch from side to side is critical," said Oren.

"You can get the manufacturing date on the bottom of the seat.  That's important to know because seats expire after six years."

It's a crucial message not lost on the Terry family and their uncle Lamar Lane.

"Right now I'm just hoping everyone is okay.  I'm not mad at anyone who did this.  I hope they're okay."

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