MINNEAPOLIS - The family of the three children who were hit by an SUV in a playground during a State Patrol pursuit said two of the children have been released from the hospital.
The three children were struck last Monday morning when they were playing with their family at Bohanon Park. Two of the kids were rushed to North Memorial with life-threatening injuries.
Four-year-old Lillianna Lee Peltier suffered bleeding on the brain plus numerous cuts and bruises. Her brother, 3-year-old Konnor Peltier, suffered less serious injuries. Both were released from the hospital over the weekend.
Their younger brother, 2-year-old Kayden Jay Peltier, fractured his pelvis, his cervical spine, had to have his spleen removed and suffered cranial bleeding. He has been transported to another hospital "better equipped to take care of his injuries and his needs," according to a statement from their mother, Nicole. He had surgery over the weekend and remains in critical condition.
"We would also like to thank the community for the prayers and support," Nicole stated.
She and her seven children were present on the playground at the time of the accident.
Last Wednesday, the motorist accused of hitting the children, 27-year-old Kabaar Wahleen Powell, was charged with two felony counts of fleeing a peace officer, two gross misdemeanor counts of criminal vehicular operation and one gross misdemeanor count of carrying a pistol without a permit.
Authorities say a trooper attempted to pull Powell over for a traffic violation on Interstate 94 but he refused to stop, taking the exit to 53rd and speeding into a residential area.
The criminal complaint states Powell and the troopers following him reached speeds as high as 80 miles per hour at times during the six-minute chase.
