Police say the driver mistakenly hit the accelerator instead of the brake while attempting a U-turn
NEED TO KNOW
- Eight children sustained minor injuries after a car crashed into a preschool classroom in Glendale, Calif., on Friday afternoon
- Police say the crash was an accident after a 79-year-old driver allegedly confused the gas and brake pedals while attempting a U-turn
- The children were treated at a local hospital and released to their parents, while no adults were injured
Eight children were injured after a car crashed into a preschool classroom in Glendale, Calif., on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
The collision occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Aug. 7 at Grandview House Preschool in the 1200 block of North Pacific Avenue, according to local reports.
Children attending a summer camp were inside the classroom when the vehicle crashed into the building, according to ABC7.
As first responders arrived at the scene, the Glendale Police Department urged the public to avoid the area, writing on its Instagram Stories, “Please avoid the 1200 block of N. Pacific Ave. due to a traffic collision.”
“Glendale Police and Fire are on scene. Expect traffic congestion and use an alternate route. Please use caution in the area,” the department added.
Police later said a 79-year-old woman was detained while officers conducted a DUI investigation, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Investigators found no signs of impairment, and authorities determined the crash was an accident, KTLA reported.
Glendale Police Sgt. Gaik Pobokhian said the driver, who was not affiliated with the preschool, had been attempting to make a U-turn in the school’s parking lot when the crash occurred, according to CBS Los Angeles.
“During the U-turn, she accelerated, struck a parked vehicle in that lot, went through the gate and into that classroom…,” Pobokhian said, according to the outlet. “At this time, it’s been deemed an accident … the gas pedal and the brake pedal were confused.”
Witnesses described the chaotic moments that followed.
“The whole gate was on top of the kids… It was like in a horror movie. I was shocked,” Vigen Hovsepyan, who helped rescue the children, told ABC7.
The eight children were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries before being released to their parents. No adults were injured, according to KTLA.
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At about 6:30 p.m., the Glendale Police Department shared an update on its Instagram Stories, confirming that the roadway had reopened and traffic in the area had been cleared.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Glendale Police Department for additional information.
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