ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- A woman is facing charges after a car smashed into two parked vehicles in St. Catharines (Pelham Rd) early this morning and then fled the scene.

Niagara Regional police say witnesses saw a speeding vehicle veer into the parked cars, then take off again with sparks shooting from the rim of a front wheel that lost its tire in the crash.

They say the witnesses followed the car to a nearby home where they saw the driver exit the damaged vehicle with a two week old baby in her arms, and go inside.

Police were quickly directed to the residence where they arrested and charged the woman with impaired driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

The baby was assessed by medical personnel and released into the custody of Family and Children's Services Niagara.