A 15-year-old boy was shot and critically injured just before two o'clock this morning while standing in a downtown parking lot, and while his friend tried to drive him to the hospital, they crashed head-on.

According to witnesses, the boy and several others were congregated at 300 Walnut Street when a white vehicle entered the parking lot. Chattanooga police Sgt. Jerri Weary says the white vehicle circled the lot a few times, then someone from the vehicle began firing.

The victim was shot in the chest while running from the gun fire.

Weary says a friend of the victim put him in a car and was driving him to the hospital when they were involved in a head-on collision near 900 E 3rd Street. The victim of the shooting was taken on the Erlanger by another personal vehicle prior to police arrival and is currently listed in critical condition.

The condition of those involved in the accident is unknown. Investigators are working on suspect leads.