A teenager faces allegations of child endangerment after driving dangerously close to a large group of people near a high school in Santee on Independence Day.
The incident occurred just after the fireworks show on July 4, outside Santana High School on the football practice field.
Darlene Brown said watching the fireworks at the school is a tradition for her family. She was part of a group of 22 who joined dozens of others at Santana High School's practice field for the celebration.
But this year's festivities quickly took a terrible turn.
"I was holding my 3-month-old grandchild and my 4-year-old grandchild was next to me screaming, 'My family, my family,'" said Brown.
"It's just terrifying," said witness Laura Tallant. "What kind of person does that? Knowing that there's people down there, knowing that there's kids down there--to come back."
The women told NBC 7, they were with their grandchildren when the driver of a Ford Ranger aimed directly towards them.
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According to witnesses, the driver, at one point, circled around a group of small children doing donuts.
"My son was pushing kids out of the way--kids he didn't even know out of the way so that they wouldn't be harmed," said Brown.
The driver then took off but San Diego County Sheriff's deputies caught up to the suspected driver a few blocks away.
Parker Higgins, 18, was arrested for child endangerment, hit-and-run, and driving under the influence among other charges.
Investigators told NBC 7 there was also a 19-year-old passenger in the truck. He also had alcohol in his system.
Brown's son has injuries to his neck, shoulder, elbow, and back but is expected to be okay.
Detectives are still searching for more witnesses and victims.
If you have any information, you are asked to call the San Diego Sheriff's substation in Santee at (619)956-4000.
