A teenager getting a driving lesson from a parent struck three girls who were playing in a driveway in Ashburn, Va., Thursday afternoon, said the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.
The 15-year-old driver apparently accelerated by accident while turning in a cul-de-sac and jumped a curb on Morven Woods Court before striking the children, authorities said.
The youngest victim, 7, was flown to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries. She is now in stable condition.
An 8-year-old and a 10-year-old were taken to another local hospital with less severe injuries.
"It's a pretty safe neighborhood," said neighbor Mehboob Raha. "It's a dead end. You cannot go outside from this particular area... [P]eople are very sensible here."
The teen driver's father was in the passenger seat at the time of the crash.
In Virginia, teenagers can apply for a learner's permit at age 15½. The minimum age to get a driver's license is 16 years and three months.
Stay with News4 and NBCWashington.com for updates as they become available.
Photo Credit: Sarah Pixley