MEMPHIS, TN (WREG) — The 13-year-old driver who crashed into five people on a Memphis street while sitting on his grandmother’s lap said she was giving him driving lessons at the time.

Ernestine Hollomon. (Memphis Police Department) 

“I didn’t want to, but I ain’t had no choice, so she told me to sit in her lap, and I did,” said the boy, identified only as Joseph.

His grandmother, Ernestine Hollomon, 58, faces a number of charges in connection with Tuesday night’s crash, including driving under the influence and child endangerment.

Police said her car was speeding at about 11:20 p.m. when she lost control at a T-intersection and hit five people on the side of the road.

“I ain’t know what to do,” Joseph said. “I pushed the brake, but she pushed the gas pedal and went straight ahead and started crashing into those folks.”

Tadarious Allmond said he managed to get out of the way just in time but he saw the car run over his friends.

“Just rrrmmph. You know, she just, like, ran them folks totally over, like, didn’t stop, didn’t try to stop,” Allmond said.

After crashing, Joseph said, he climbed out of a window and flagged down help.

“I looked to see if someone was hurt. I seen like three or four, five people on the ground,” he said.

Two of the pedestrians were sent to the hospital in critical condition.  Among the injuries were  broken bones and head injuries, friends and relatives told WREG. The mother of one victim said her son was in surgery Wednesday afternoon for a broken leg.

“When I got out, folks started hollering at me, talking about ‘What you do? What you do?’” Joseph said.

WREG asked Joseph’s mother, Jennifer Hollomon, why she allowed her son to take driving lessons from his grandmother, considering he’s only 13 years old and — according to police — the older woman’s license has been suspended for five years. She responded, “I don’t know,” then added, “I hope she’s learning her lesson the whole time she’s in jail. I hope she thinks twice next time.”

Joseph said the experience has put him off driving.

“I ain’t want to drive no more,” he said.

Hollomon’s first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday morning.

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