BOSTON (WHDH) - A Needham woman appeared in court Friday on charges stemming from a crash in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston that left three people injured Thursday.
Shanitqua Steele, 25, was charged with unlicensed operation of a vehicle, leaving the scene of a collision and negligent operation.
According to prosecutors, Steele was driving a rented 2016 Mercedes-Benz she borrowed from a family member when she drove through a red light at the intersection of School and Washington streets. Steele allegedly struck three pedestrians in the crosswalk, then fled the scene on foot. Police said at the time of the crash, she was driving without a license.
Two of the victims, a 45-year-old Milford woman and her 9-year-old son, were pinned underneath the car when their tour guide and other witnesses lifted the car to rescue them. The third victim was a 63-year-old woman from Spain. All three were transported to Tufts Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital. Their injuries ranged from minor to serious, according to authorities. None of the injuries are life-threatening.
The Milford woman and her son was released from the hospital Friday; she did not want to speak on camera but told 7News she wanted to thank everyone who helped save her and her son. She called her tour guide very heroic.
Steele’s attorney said this was a tragic accident and she only left the scene to find her husband. According to witnesses, Steele ran into a nearby Chipotle, where she was later apprehended.
Steele is scheduled to return to court Sept. 14.
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