Lubbock Police continue their investigation into an accident that occurred early Tuesday morning that sent five people to the hospital.

Officers were called out to 58th Street and Avenue V around 3:20 a.m. Tuesday in response to a report of a two vehicle crash with injuries.

According to Lubbock police, five people in total were injured in the crash, one person being taken to the hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries. One occupant fled the scene before officers arrived. 

Lubbock Police were able to determine that the occupants of the vehicles were minors, and were racing their cars westbound down 58th street, and that the SUV was stolen.

While at the scene of the crash, a couple claiming to be the owners of the car informed a reporter with EverythingLubbock.com that the car belonged to them and that it had been stolen as well. 

The race came to a halt in front of the Oakwood United Methodist Church. The car rolled and struck a utility pole, the SUV continued forward eventually running into the church. 

The 15-year-old driver of the stolen SUV was arrested on scene for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and aggravated assault. 

Lubbock police, fire, and EMS crews were all on scene early Tuesday morning. Around 6 a.m., church members began to arrive to the church and assess the damage. LP&L crews were also sent out to begin making repairs.
 
Oakwood United Methodist stands between both an elementary and the church’s pre-school. The church’s pastor, Rob Lindley, shares that he’s just grateful that no children were involved or around at the time of the accident. 

“Next week we’ll have vacation bible school, and we’ll have 75-80 kids here at vacation bible school. They’ll be walking down this area, so if anything happened to those precious gifts then we would feel so bad,” said Lindley. “We’re hoping and praying that the people involved in the accident are okay, but it does seem like it’s a safety issue at this point in time.” 
 
Lindley said that despite the damage to the church, he does not believe it will affect services. 
 
Wednesday morning beginning at 9 a.m., the Lubbock Police Accident Investigation Unit will shut down 58th street between Avenue U and W to continue their investigation into the crash. It is expected to wrap up at noon.

Stay with EverythingLubbock.com for more developments as they become available.