A mother and her kids were just walking to school. Then a massive truck didn't stop.

A mother and her kids were just walking to school. Then a massive truck didn't stop.

Video shows an 18-wheeler hitting a family in a New Jersey crosswalk on Friday morning.

Every parent's worst fear is the split second where a routine walk turns into a nightmare. This morning, that nightmare became real for one family.

A mother and her two children were crossing the street in New Jersey. They were in a marked crosswalk on their way to school.

A large tractor-trailer turned and drove right over them. The heavy truck did not seem to slow down as it hit the family.

People nearby heard a sound they will never forget. One witness said they heard a scream that makes you stand up and run to help.

What the evidence shows

• The crash happened Friday morning during the school run.
• The family was walking inside a marked crosswalk.
• A video camera captured the entire event.
• The mother and both children were rushed to a local hospital.
• Police are currently checking the truck for mechanical issues.

THE BIGGER QUESTION

Why are our streets still so dangerous for the people who live on them? We build roads to move giant trucks as fast as possible, but we often forget about the children walking to class.

Should heavy trucks even be allowed on the same streets where kids walk to school? This tragedy makes us ask if speed and cargo are more important than human lives.

THE OTHER SIDE

Local police have not filed any charges against the driver yet. They are looking at the video to see if the family was in a blind spot where the driver could not see them. It is too early to know if the driver was at fault or if this was a terrible accident.

Based on the video, the driver stayed at the scene to talk to officers.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The mother and her children are fighting to recover in the hospital. Their current health status has not been made public by the doctors.

Neighbors are already asking the city to add more lights or signs to this crossing. They want to make sure no other family has to go through this pain.

WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW

1. What is the current medical condition of the mother and her two children?
2. Was the driver distracted by a phone or something else inside the cab?
3. Will the city ban large trucks from this specific school route in the future?

Source Note: Information for this story came from the New York Post. All charges are allegations - the driver is presumed innocent until proven guilty.