Clinton Avenue in Newark was the scene of an early morning crash following what witnesses say was a car chase involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wanting to put a suspect in custody.

The crash happened at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Shanley Avenue.

Newark police have confirmed that the driver of a gray van was trying to escape from ICE agents and crashed into a red Toyota Rav 4 carrying three children. That gray van then slammed into an Uber vehicle carrying three kids on their way to school, according to police.

The suspect in the van was arrested. The three children were seriously injured.

McKenzie Fontage and her two brothers, Ma’Kai Fontage and E’yon Fontage, were in the Uber. They were headed from their home in Irvington to school in Newark when they were hit by the van. All three are being treated for serious injuries at University Hospital.

News 12 spoke with their stepfather, who rushed to the scene following a call from his stepdaughter.

“They called screaming, screaming, they were terrified. In Newark especially, police are not supposed to chase vehicles just for this reason. It’s very dangerous," said Javon Alleyne, the children's stepfather. "After the situation happens, they want to be rude. They don’t want to give you answers. I’m trying to get to the scene. I’m a father trying to make sure my kids are OK and I’m getting treated like a criminal."

News 12 has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for more information on the arrest and crash and is waiting to hear back.