SUMITON, Ala. (WIAT) — Two people have been hospitalized after reportedly passing out behind the wheel of a moving car in a parking lot with a child inside, Sumiton Police tell CBS 42 News.
Witnesses spotted the vehicle in question going in circles in a Walmart parking lot around 11 p.m. Wednesday. The vehicle hit an officer’s patrol car before officers got it to come to a halt.
Sumiton Police tell CBS 42 News that the two adults in the vehicle, a man and a woman, were suspected to have overdosed on heroin during the incident. Sumiton Police Chief T.J. Burnett told CBS 42 News that a field testing kit at the scene tested positive for heroin, and that paraphernalia was found in the vehicle.
Officers found a 4-year-old child in the backseat of the car and placed the child into DHR custody.
In the video, you can see witnesses rush towards the moving vehicle to try and stop it.
“It was getting closer and closer to the store the whole time,” said Cynthia Ward, who recorded the incident on a cell phone.
Ward posted the video to Facebook, where it has been shared hundreds of times. She said she wants to make people aware of the growing problem
“That’s very worrisome for people to be in a parking lot like that with their child,” said Ward.
Chief Burnett identified the vehicle occupants as Allen Murray and Krystal Bland. He said both received medical treatment. The investigation for possible charges continues, Burnett said.
“I just hope and pray that these people can get their lives right and try to see that there is more to life than things like this,” said Ward.
CBS 42 will bring you more information as it becomes available.
