NILES — Three juveniles were hospitalized with minor injuries after they were hit by a car Thursday in Niles, according to the Niles Police Department.

At 2:56 p.m., the Niles Police Department received multiple 911 calls regarding a traffic crash at 13th and Sycamore streets. Dispatch received information that a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at this location.

Once on scene, it was determined the crash involved a single motor vehicle driven by a 40-year-old Niles resident and four juvenile pedestrians. Three of the pedestrians appeared to have been struck by the vehicle and sustained minor injuries. The three juvenile pedestrians were transported to area hospitals by ambulance.

There were several witnesses to this crash. Based on information from the driver involved as well as witnesses, the vehicle was traveling north on 13th Street and had stopped at the stop sign. The four juveniles were walking west on the sidewalk of Sycamore Street. As the vehicle began driving north from the stop sign, the juveniles stepped off the curb and into the roadway.

The vehicle then struck three of the four juveniles.

Debrah Smith, who lives at 301 N. 13th St., said she saw the aftermath of the incident. Initially, she said she believed the car had run the stop sign.

“I was scared,” Smith said. “I have an 8-year-old, and I have almost a 6-year-old. I tell them, you have to stay over here [on the sidewalk] to play. I wish they could patrol this more. I do see cops once and a while, but they don’t patrol enough.”

In addition to the Niles Police Department, the following agencies were on the scene: the Niles Fire Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, and SMCAS ambulance arrived on scene.

Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in this crash. The Niles Police Department is continuing to investigate the crash.