WEST LINN, Ore. -- Children in a West Linn neighborhood had a close call while sledding Wednesday when an unmanned SUV nearly ran over them.

The Winterling family says they were sledding in their neighborhood when a Ford Explorer suddenly started sliding toward them.

Slideshow: Empty SUV Nearly Hits Sledding Children

The SUV came barreling down Wildwood Drive near Carriage, the children heard some loud screaming, and when they looked up the Explorer was coming their way.

They were able to get out of the way, but the SUV plowed into a mailbox, continued down a steep hill and ended up in a front yard.

"We just tried to gather all the kids and take them to a safe place. It was scary because you didn't know where it was going to go. And I thought there was a driver in the car. (I) didn't realize until the end when it hit, that it was empty," witness Kirsten Pribilsky said.

Police said they think the owner parked the SUV on the hill and when the temperature dropped and the hill started to freeze, the SUV lost its traction and broke free.

No one was injured and officers aren't sure whether they will ticket the owner.

Witnesses said they saw the SUV with its wheels turned the wrong direction. They said if the wheels had been turned into the curb, the entire accident would have been prevented.

Empty SUV Nearly Hits Sledding Children