2 critical after car hits crowd at Ind. boat race

updated 8:54 p.m. ET July 3, 2006

MADISON, Ind. - Investigators sought a blood test to determine whether a teenage driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when his car plowed through a crowd of speedboat race fans along the Ohio River.

Ten people were injured Sunday afternoon at the Madison Regatta. Four, including the driver, remained hospitalized Monday. Two were in critical condition.

“I saw one young lady just frozen in her path, just standing at the water’s edge and the car ran directly over the top of her,” said David Edds. “It was the most horrifying thing that I have ever seen.”

The 18-year-old driver, Michael Bowen, was unconscious when he was pulled from the water. Police Chief Bob Wolf said a state trooper saw Bowen apparently slumped over the steering wheel as the vehicle approached a crowd barrier along the riverfront.

A 16-year-old passenger was treated at a hospital and released. Investigators have interviewed the passenger and were waiting to speak with Bowen, who was in stable condition with a possible head injury.

Investigators will obtain a subpoena for blood tests on Bowen, Wolf said.

Two bystanders — Priscilla Johnson, 56, and Jennifer Willette, 28 — were in critical condition with what police said were head and chest injuries. Hana Roberts, 14, was in fair condition at a children’s hospital in Louisville, Ky.

Police said the car drove through the crowd, hit a golf cart used by officials, who ducked for cover, and then went airborne. It ended up about 25 feet into the river.

Madison is in southeast Indiana, midway between Louisville and Cincinnati. The annual race for hydroplanes draws thousands of people to the riverside community of about 13,000 every Fourth of July weekend.

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