13-year-old driving on grandma's lap says he tried to brake before hitting pedestrians

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) -- A 13-year-old boy who crashed into five people while driving on his grandmother's lap said his grandmother was giving him driving lessons at the time.

Police said Ernestine Hollomon's car was speeding down Boyd St. at Tate Ave. when it hit five pedestrians at about 10 p.m. on August 4. Memphis Police said one male was hospitalized in critical condition.

“I didn't want to, but I had no choice, so she told me to sit in her lap, and I did,” the 13-year-old told WREG-TV.

“I pushed the brake, but she pushed the gas pedal and went straight ahead and started crashing into those folks,” he said.

Many of the victims suffered broken bones and head injuries, friends and relatives told WREG. The mother of one victim said her son was in surgery Wednesday afternoon for a broken leg.

“I hope she's learning her lesson the whole time she's in jail. I hope she thinks twice next time,” the boy's mother, the daughter of the suspect, told WREG.

Ernestine Hollomon 58, was charged with driving while license suspended or revoked; DUI; child endangerment; and violation of financial responsibility law, according to the Memphis Police Dept.