The mother of the twins came of the hospital briefly Saturday night to say that her children are hanging in there. They have a number of injuries and the doctors are still keeping a close eye on them.
Action News was first on the scene after police responded to 9th and Birch streets where a day of play for two children turned into an accident.
Residents in the North Philadelphia neighborhood say a white Ford Explorer slammed into 11-year old-twins, Emily and Eduardo Sanchez around 4:30pm Saturday afternoon.
"The little kids were under the car, and you see the bike right there. The bike is broken into pieces," said Jasmine Rodriguez.
Parts of the bicycle were scattered across the street and found pinned under the SUV.
Witnesses say the 58-year-old driver appeared to be under the influence and were surprised by his next move.
"He looked, got up and started walking away like nothing happened and left the kids there," said Evelyn DeJesus.
DeJesus' new Nissan Maxima was pushed onto the sidewalk by the collision. She said she just couldn't let the driver get away.
"I'm screaming, 'Somebody grab this man and hold him until the cops come'," DeJesus said.
Police say the neighbors held him down and beat him up.
The twins' father, Steven Feliciano, was around the corner at the time of the crash.
His concern, he says, was for the safety of his kids.
"Just the safety of my children, just the safety of my children, the ambulance was already here," said Feliciano.
His twins were rushed to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. Eduardo suffered a broken ankle and was released from the hospital late Saturday night. His sister Emily had to undergo surgery for head and leg injuries.
As for the driver, police will only say that they are investigating the DUI claim. He was transported to Temple University Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.
"I am pretty grateful," said Feliciano. "I guess if he got away, God knows if the car was under his name or whatever. I just thank God that my kids are cool."
The driver's name has not been released. Charges are pending in the case.
