Multi-car crash leaves seven, including three chidlren, injured in South LA

Seven people, including three children, where injured in a multi-car crash in South Los Angeles early Wednesday afternoon, which was reportedly triggered by a robbery suspect fleeing from police. 

Los Angeles Fire Department says that the crash happened at around 1:15 p.m. in the 200 block of W. 81st Street. 

The incident began hours earlier though, at around 11:45 a.m., when plan clothes Los Angeles Police Department officers were surveilling the 300 block of 83rd Street for a wanted robbery suspect. 

When they saw the suspect, they informed a department airship to assist patrol officers in order to attempt a traffic stop. While they were en route, the suspect crashed into another vehicle, triggering the incident. 

Three of the victims, a 40-year-old man, 36-year-old woman and 28-year-old man, were hospitalized in critical condition. 

The others were said to be in fair condition. Among those were a three children aged 5-months old, 4-years-old and 5-years-old. 

Initially, authorities were working to determine if the crash was related to a string of drive-by shootings that had happened just minutes prior to the crash a few blocks away. 

Investigators say that the suspect was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash. 

The suspect has been booked for the robbery and on additional charges related Wednesday's incident.