The ages of the children hospitalized range from 1 to 10, Stephen Gollan, battalion chief at Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, said at a news conference.
“There were four of them that were transported with various injuries,” he said. “Some of those are critical.”
Gollan called it “truly a horrific event.”
Authorities earlier said they received a call regarding a hit-and-run with injuries at around 2:50 p.m., and Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies, Wilton Manors police officers and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to the scene.
Gollan said there were people providing aid at the scene before emergency crews arrived.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Miranda Grossman told reporters the vehicle struck the children in a residential area and she urged homeowners to look at their doorbell cameras for any clues about the suspect and vehicle.
“At this point detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and are looking for any information,” she said. “This is still all part of the investigation, figuring out the suspect’s car, going through video, going through evidence, talking to witnesses,” she added.
The video also shows a pedestrian crossing within the area marked off by police tape.
Wilton Manors is 3 miles north of Fort Lauderdale.