AURORA | As a mother and her 2-year-old daughter lay pinned beneath a car after a crash Dec. 3, a group of police officers and passersby sprung into action.

“They were almost knocking each other over to do something,” said Aurora police Sgt. Matt Brukbacher, the second officer on scene after the crash near East Exposition Avenue and South Abilene Street.

Within seconds, the group lifted the Kia Rio off the woman and freed her and the toddler from beneath the car. Both are expected to survive but remained hospitalized as of Dec. 4. Their injuries are severe, police said — the mother, Kipinga Muanza Kalala, 37, had a head injury and several broken bones while her daughter, 2-year-old Angela Muanza Kalala, had burns, abrasions and several cuts — but police said the group’s fast action likely saved their lives.

The Kia Rio that struck Kalala and her daughter as they crossed the street weighs in at about 2,400 pounds, but Brukbacher said with their adrenaline running high, the group lifted it easily.

“It was a pretty small car,” he said with a laugh.

The crash happened around 6:25 p.m. at 14200 E. Exposition Ave., directly in front of a Wal-Mart store.

Police say Kalala, her daughter and her two twin boys were crossing Exposition from the north when the mom, daughter and one of the twins were struck by an eastbound Kia Rio. The family wasn’t in a crosswalk, police said. The driver of the Kia was travelling a few miles under the speed limit when the crash occurred and police said the driver will not be charged.

Police identified the driver as Michael Lovato, 52, of Aurora and said he will not be charged. After the crash, he helped lift the car off of Kalala and her daughter, police said, and has cooperated with the investigation.

Police said the mom and daughter were wedged under the car, while one of the twins was bumped by the vehicle and had a bump on his head.

In addition to Brukbacher, police said several people helped out at the scene before an ambulance arrived. Sgt. Jon Kessler, who was working off-duty as security at the Wal-Mart, was the first officer on the scene and helped lift the car. Jeff Simpson and his stepdaughter, Nashelle Gibson, also helped out — Simpson helped lift the car and Gibson held the toddler and covered her until emergency crews arrived.

Aurora police Lt. Chuck DeShazer, who heads the department’s traffic section, said there were several other people who helped, but wished to remain anonymous after the crash.

“Their contributions were appreciated,” DeShazer said.

Simpson said that for him, the decision to jump in and help was easy.

“It wasn’t even a thought,” he said. “It was just, we have to help.”

A day after the crash, Simpson said it was nice to know the family would be OK, and that he got the chance to make a bad situation better.

“We are here together,” he said. “Might as well help each other when we can.”