Truck Barrels Through Nine Pedestrians Near Hemet High School
Hemet was the site of a pedestrian accident that sent nine people, including eight teenagers, to the hospital with injuries that varied in severity.
The incident took place just outside of Hemet High School after classes had dismissed for the day. It was the last day for seniors to participate in classes, and other students only had two days left to go. According to witnesses, a Ford Ranger that had reportedly been modified to be used for off-roading purposes looked to be turning into the school’s parking lot, as it was in a right turn only lane. Instead of turning, though, the vehicle allegedly blasted through a red light and continued forward into the intersection.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the vehicle careened into a crosswalk being used by around 30 people. The Ranger crashed directly into these pedestrians. A total of nine individuals were struck in some manner, all but one of them students at the school. Three of those students sustained critical injuries, with the other six incurring minor damage to their person. Everyone who was hit had to be transported to area hospitals.
The CHP has stated that the driver of the vehicle got out to assist those persons who were struck. Authorities will be conducting an investigation into the incident. Cameras positioned around the school apparently captured video of the accident, and the school’s principal said that police officials were reviewing this footage.
