Survivor In Carjacking Crash That Killed 3 Children Speaks Out
By Diana Rocco
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A woman injured in a deadly carjacking and crash in North Philadelphia remembers the young victims and talks about the horrifying ordeal.
Three children were killed, and three others injured.
Thelma Brown is the first to be released from the hospital.
Home from the hospital, she sits on her West Hilton Street porch talking about Friday's terrifying events.
"The front of the car hit me and knocked me up in the air," she said.
The 69-year-old was helping the three children set up their fruit stand when the stolen car with Jonathan Rosa and Cornelius Crawford inside jumped the curb.
She says she knew the kids were hurt, but it wasn't until days later her family told her they had died.
"It just wasn't real, it didn't seem real because the night before and that morning they were with me," she said.
In their Allegheny neighborhood the memorial still stands. Hundreds lined the block to see Ms. Brown return home with a fractured ankle and other bruises.
She says she's still grieving for the kids that were like her own, 15-year-old Keiearra Williams, 10-year-old Joseph Reed and 7-year-old Terrence Moore. She says her job now is to be there for their mother, 34-year-old Keisha Williams, who is still in the hospital.
"But that's the only thing that I think about is their mother and the other two children that are still here," she said.
And as for the two suspects who carjacked a 45-year-old real estate agent and sexually assaulted her moments before impact, she says has no forgiveness.
"They are very lucky that the police officers got them before the people around here," she said.
Ms. Brown told CBS 3 she is overwhelmed and grateful for all the support she has received from the community and people across the country. She is still asking for prayers for the children's mother who remains in the hospital.
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