An "innocent" woman was killed and six children in her car were taken to the hospital after she crashed while trying to escape a shootout between two other vehicles in Kansas City, police and local media said late Tuesday.
Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte said on Twitter Wednesday morning that the children hurt in the accident are expected to survive.
Another person who was taken to the hospital in a critical condition after being shot in the exchange of gunfire is expected to be released from the hospital sometime on Wednesday.
Sgt. Kari Thompson of Kansas City Police Department said two cars were driving and shooting at each other when "a third vehicle not involved in the exchange of gunfire was hit by one of those vehicles as they traveled in the area of 9th and Hardesty."
Thompson told NBC station KSHB that an adult woman in the third car died at the scene and the children inside were taken to the Children’s Mercy Hospital.
"An innocent vehicle driving in this area, unbeknownst to them, somehow got into an accident with these individuals, that passenger in that innocent vehicle is deceased here at the scene," she said.
She called it a "tragic scene," adding: "This community, we have got to get a clue. Every life matters in our community. Every life matters. Whether you live south of the river, north of the river. If you live in Kansas City, the urban core is your community. Let's not turn a blind eye to this area."
A suspect was apprehended, KSHB reported.
