Police say a reckless driver who lost control of his vehicle came close to killing or seriously injuring two women and their children as they took a walk Tuesday evening in Roseville.

The 22-year-old driver, spotted by witnesses speeding, squealing his tires and intentionally spinning out his car in the road before losing control, was arrested and charged with reckless driving.

The man's vehicle left the roadway and struck two women pushing strollers on a sidewalk near 12 Mile Road and Pinehurst Street in Roseville about 7:30 p.m.

"Both of the children, one 11 months old, the other 3 years old were thrown from there strollers upon the cars impact," Roseville Police Chief James P. Berlin said in a statement Wednesday.

"Both thankfully landed on a grassy area adjacent to the roadway, no doubt minimizing the children's injuries.

"The two women were both knocked to the ground."

All four were hospitalized. All but the 11-month-old infant, who suffered facial abrasions, had been released from the hospital as of Wednesday morning.

Witnesses told police the suspect "was driving upon Pinehurst Street at a high rate of speed, stopping, squealing his tires intentionally drawing attention to himself. While the driver was stopped on Pinehurst at 12 Mile to await making his turn he was gunning his engine, squawking his tires acting highly irresponsible.

"When the road way cleared allowing him to turn, he sped off from the stop sign squealing, spinning ... doing a 'donut' in the center of 12 Mile Road before losing control of his vehicle and driving up over the curb striking our victims."

The police chief described the crash as an afternoon walk that almost ended in tragedy.

The suspect posted bond and was released pending his next court date.