Suspected drunk driver hits mother, two children

LOWELL, Mass. -- An alleged drunk driver accused of hitting a mother and her two children with his car appeared in court on Monday.

Police said the incident occurred on Broadway and Fletcher Streets in Lowell shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday night.

According to police, a woman was pushing her two young children home from the supermarket when a drunk driver, 60-year-old Chamroeun Theam, struck them and sent them flying. Theam's blood alcohol level was reportedly more than three times the legal limit at .26. 

“He stopped at the red light, when the light turned green, he accelerated through the intersection. The woman was crossing this crosswalk, and was three-quarters of the way across the street when he hit her,” said Lieutenant Tim Crowley of the Lowell Police Department.

The mother, 25-year-old Nina Wilkin, and her two-year old daughter, Kaitlyn Wilkin, were expected to be okay. Wilkin's three-year old son, Jonathan, originally had injuries that were considered more serious, but both children and the mother have been released from the hospital.

“The four-year old who was sitting to the rear was out of the stroller when the officers pulled in behind the car. So whether the strap let go or he was pushed out, I know the shoes stayed in the stroller and he came out,” said Crowley of the incident.

Two police officers happened to be stopped at the intersection and witnessed the wreck.

Theam quickly stopped and police determined that the he was drunk.

He was arriagned Monday in court.

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