Three children were transported to the hospital after a minivan crashed into a dugout during a baseball game at Dream Field in Woodstock Saturday morning.
The Woodstock Police Department and Woodstock Fire/Rescue District responded around 9:43 a.m. Saturday at Dream Field in Emricson Park, 900 West South Street, for a report of a vehicle crash.
Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Rob Pritchard said officers arrived to find a green Toyota Sienna minivan had crashed into the dugout on the first base side.
The Toyota had driver-side airbag deployment and four children were inside the car.
Three of the children, ages 12 to 13, were transported to area hospitals for their injuries, which were described as “minor to moderate” but non-life-threatening.
The fourth juvenile was evaluated by paramedics but declined transport, according to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District Communication Specialist Alex Vucha.
A baseball game was in progress when the crash occurred. Nearly a dozen teenage baseball players were inside the dugout.
“Fortunately, the concrete structure protected them in the collision. Additionally, several patrons watching the game were alerted to the vehicle and safely removed themselves from its path,” Vucha said.
“We are very fortunate the swift actions of many individuals prevented a catastrophic incident,” he said.
Pritchard said it is believed the car was slipped into drive accidentally while one of the children was attempting to adjust the radio.
The vehicle then traveled forward down the hill and into the concrete dugout where the Hampshire baseball team was, Pritchard said.
All of the parents of the youths were notified of the incident and the vehicle was towed from the scene. No citations were issued.
Representatives from the City of Woodstock and Woodstock Public Works were requested to evaluate the damaged dugout.