Police: Child not in car seat, seriously hurt when father crashes car

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A father is behind bars and his son taken to the hospital after witnesses say he was racing his car with his young son sitting next to him in the passenger seat.

Police say the two-year-old wasn’t in a car seat, and was critically hurt in the crash.

According to police reports, 25-year-old Valentine Duran appeared to be racing a black Mustang down the 4500 block of Georgetown Road.

Witnesses told police Duran got in front of the Mustang in an attempt to cut the car off, but then started fishtailing, and lost control.

Edith Johnson says she was driving southbound, heading home from work, when Duran’s car slammed into hers.

“We could have died yesterday,” said Johnson. “It was a sad thing. I thought the baby was dead.”

Police reports show the passenger side of Duran's car was pushed over into the driver's side.

That's where his son had been sitting.

“There was a baby in his car; they said the baby didn’t have on a seatbelt or car seat,” said Johnson. “The way he hit me, it was on the side where the baby was sitting. In the front seat. They had to pry the baby out of the car.”

Police reports show the child was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition Saturday night.

No word on how he is doing now.

Duran was arrested at the hospital, and faces numerous charges, including child neglect and reckless driving.

Records also show Duran didn't have a valid driver's license in Indiana.

The car witnesses reported him racing did not stay at the scene.

If you have any information on this crash, you can call Crimestoppers at 262-TIPS.