According to the Springfield Police Department, several people were struck by a car in Springfield early Thursday morning.
UPDATE:
At approximately 3:02 p.m on Thursday afternoon, Evan M. Hutson, a 22 year old Springfield man, was taken into custody by Springfield Police detectives accused of the early morning hit and run. Hutson was taken to a local hospital for treatment for issues unrelated to the arrest. He will be transported to the Sangamon County Jail upon being released from the hospital. Hutson was arrested for aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a vehicle.
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Original Story:
At 12:29 a.m., Springfield Police officers responded to the area of 5th Street and North Grand Avenue after receiving a report of multiple people hit by a vehicle.
Upon arrival, officers were informed that a Lexus had driven over a curb in the 1100 block of North 5th Street, causing damage to one of its tires. The vehicle then proceeded into the parking lot of the Qik-n-Ez at 430 N. Grand Avenue.
Witnesses reported that an altercation occurred between the driver and two individuals in the parking lot. Following the confrontation, the driver re-entered the vehicle and drove through a group of people on the sidewalk just east of the Qik-n-Ez parking lot.
A female sitting on the sidewalk was injured as the vehicle ran over her legs. She was transported by ambulance to Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another individual reported that the vehicle ran over his feet, but he refused medical treatment. Several other witnesses left the scene, attempting to locate the vehicle, which was last seen heading north on 6th Street.
Shortly after, an officer found the vehicle unoccupied near the intersection of 6th Street and Keys Avenue. Identification believed to belong to the driver was found inside the car. The vehicle was towed from the scene.