MERIDIAN -- A drunk driver likely caused a crash involving a 2-year-old in Meridian Tuesday night.
Meridian Police arrested 32-year-old Mathew Wheeler for DUI and injury to a child.
Police say Wheeler crashed his Dodge Durango into a vehicle in a neighborhood cul-de-sac of North Ralstin Street and North Scrivner way around 4pm. He then attempted to flee.
Residents in the area saw a 2-year-old girl on the floor of the vehicle, so they grabbed the toddler to keep her safe.
"What they initially did was, they grabbed the child to make sure the child was okay and that's what kept the driver here and so they were basically keeping that driver from the child," said Meridian Deputy Chief of Police Tracy Basterrechea.
The toddler was taken to a hospital, but didn't suffer any injuries. There was no one else in the vehicle.
Police believe the toddler was Wheeler's daughter.
