Driver arrested after mother killed, 2 children critically injured

CHANDLER, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Police say a woman died after she was hit by a car while walking across the street with her two children in Chandler.

Daniel Mejia with the Chandler Police Department tells us that 31-year-old Pamela Hesselbacher and her two children, ages 2 and 3, were walking across the street near Ray and Rural Roads on Saturday when all three were hit by a vehicle.

Hesselbacher was pronounced dead and the children are listed in critical condition, according to Mejia.

Several hours after the crash, Chandler police say they arrested the driver, 39-year-old William Epperlein, for causing the death while driving on a suspended license, which is a class 4 felony.

Investigators are still on scene trying to find out the exact cause of this tragic accident, Mejia said.

Road closures and lane restrictions remained in place while investigators processed the scene.