Five children were injured in a tragic incident in California on Wednesday when a truck collided with them while they were crossing a street in Pollock Pines. The young students from a local preschool were on a field trip to the park when a van struck them as they were using the crosswalk, as reported by ABC affiliate KXTV and CBS affiliate KOVR.
According to California Highway Patrol (CHP), three of the children sustained major injuries, while the other two suffered minor injuries, as confirmed by KOVR, NBC affiliate KCRA-TV, and KXTV. The 21-year-old driver of the van stayed at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
The two children with major injuries, a boy and a girl, were transported to UC Davis Medical Center, while the third child, also with major injuries, was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The two children with minor injuries, a boy and a girl, were treated at Marshall Medical Center.
The school the children attended, Pine Top Montessori, released a statement expressing their concern and offering support to the affected families. The community has rallied together, with a GoFundMe page raising over $53,000 in less than 48 hours for one of the injured students, 4-year-old Juniper Ammons.
Juniper sustained significant head trauma and is currently on a ventilator, according to her aunt’s message on the GoFundMe page. Her parents have been by her side since the incident, enduring a heart-wrenching ordeal. In an interview with KXTV, another aunt shared that Juniper is in stable condition and being closely monitored.
Described as a “ray of sunshine” with a compassionate and wise demeanor beyond her years, Juniper has touched the lives of those around her. The El Dorado Community Foundation is collecting donations to assist the families affected by the crash, acknowledging that financial support can alleviate some of the burdens they face.
Authorities initially ruled out alcohol, drugs, or excessive speed as contributing factors but are investigating the possibility of distracted driving, as reported by KCRA-TV.
