Sunday Joseph fled on foot from the crash, leaving his car on top of some victims.

BLADENSBURG, Md. — A 66-year-old D.C. man was driving in reverse when he crashed into a children’s birthday party and ran away on foot in Bladensburg Saturday night, leaving his car behind, trapping some victims. 

Sunday Joseph was identified as the driver in the hit-and-run, Bladensburg Police said Monday morning. He turned himself in on Sunday at 8 a.m. after fleeing the crash scene Saturday night. 

The deadly crash killed 31-year-old Ashley Hernandez Gutierrez and injured 14 others, including eight minors ranging in age from 1 to 17 years old. Most of the injured people have been discharged from the hospital, except one child and two adults who are still being treated.

Acting Police Chief Daniel Frishkorn said Joseph was driving in reverse when he veered off the street into a tent set up in the front yard of a Bladensburg residence, where the birthday party was happening. The crash was accidental and not targeted, Frishkorn said.

A police officer patrolling nearby noticed the aftermath of the crash just before 10:15 p.m. and was flagged down for help. He helped lift the car off of victims, Frishkorn said.

Police are still investigating whether alcohol and speed were involved in the crash. Frishkorn said he couldn’t say why Joseph was driving backwards, but said it’s highly unusual that an incident of this magnitude with so many injured is caused by someone driving in reverse. 

Joseph faces several charges, including criminal negligent manslaughter by vehicle, negligent manslaughter by auto, and failure to remain at the scene of an accident where a death occurred. 

Bladensburg Mayor Takisha James said that the town community is heartbroken over the incident.

“Please know that the town of Bladensburg is fully committed to ensuring that the individual responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” James said at the press conference on Monday. “To the victims who are still recovering, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We wish you strength, comfort, and complete healing, not only from your physical injuries, but also from the emotional pain that accompanies such a traumatic experience.”