3 children struck in Newark by truck that kept going; truck located

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- Three girls suffered minor injuries when they were struck by a pick-up truck in Newark Tuesday afternoon.

The young girls were using the crosswalk when they were hit.

Witness say seeing the impact was shocking but then seeing the driver take off was revolting.

Dozens of witnesses rushed to help these three young girls left hurt on the street after being hit by a truck on their way home from school.

Two cried hysterically bleeding profusely from their noses, as a 12-year-old appeared lifeless on the pavement.

The driver who hit them sped away.

"First I thought he's going to stop but no he just sped away. That was just so heartless," said Brano Valenzuela, a witness.

The video is hard to watch it but the girls, 12-year-old twins and a 9-year-old, are all OK.

It happened at the intersection of Jefferson and Ferry streets in Newark's Ironbound District.

Two men chased down the white truck and got the license plate number for police.

"I was like, 'Stop, stop that car,' but he just kept going and he just kept speeding up. We got the license plate number we gave it to the cops. The little girl was just on the floor. I was just praying that she was all right," said Jeff Barlacier, a witness.

Hours later detectives found the truck in Elizabeth, and now know exactly who they're looking for.

Late Tuesday night, police put up signs warning that the high traffic area is a pedestrian safety zone.

Residents say how someone could leave the children like that, not bothering to stop, is beyond them.

"You can make a mistake, it's an accident, things happen, but when you see a child, especially three children, for you to keep going after, that's just no regard for human life. No regard," Barlacier said.

Eyewitness News obtained surveillance video of the accident but we are not showing the moment of impact.

The investigation into this hit-and-run is ongoing. Authorities ask that anyone with information relevant to this or any other crimes contact the department's 24-hour Crime Stoppers' tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or 877-NWK-GUNS (877-696-4867). All crime stopper tips are anonymous and kept confidential.