Boy Killed, Mother & Brother Injured In Sunrise Accident

SUNRISE (CBSMiami) - A child was killed, his mother and younger brother were critically injured, after they were hit by a vehicle in Sunrise.

Sunrise police spokeswoman Cindi McCue said the accident happened Saturday evening around 8:15 p.m. in the 4100 block of Pine Island Road. According to investigators, 37-year old Natali Munzer Alja'ouni and her two children were on the sidewalk when they were run over.

"I heard a loud screeching sound on the road, then a loud crash," said Jason Siegal who lives around the corner from the accident scene. "I saw the stroller and all I could do was pray from that moment on. When you see stuff like that it's really hard."

Police say a man driving a BMW was headed southbound on Pine Island when he swerved to avoid another vehicle. The driver lost control, went up onto the sidewalk and hit the family.

They were rushed to Broward Health Medical Center where Alja'ouni's 4-year old son was later pronounced dead.  His eight month old brother is listed as stable in the Intensive Care Unit. Alja'ouni was airlifted to the hospital and is listed as critical but stable.

Neighbors who heard the news left balloons and candles at the scene of the accident. They are praying the mother and her second child survive.

"Put little teddy bears or some flowers just to show respect," said Jane Eshkibok who left flowers and stuffed animals at the scene with her grandchildren.  " I just want to show my grandchildren that life is precious."

Police say the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene after the accident. Witnesses told CBS4's Gaby Fleischman they saw the BMW racing another vehicle before the accident. Police have not determined the cause of the crash, but are investigating whether or not speed played a role.