Eight Anaheim High School track and field athletes were injured Wednesday afternoon when a suspected DUI driver veered onto a sidewalk and struck them as they waited to cross the street, police said.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. near Harbor Boulevard and North Street. According to the Anaheim Police Department, the driver of a red Toyota Corolla was heading south on Harbor when the car jumped the curb and hit the teens, who were standing at the corner waiting for the walk signal.
“They were doing exactly what they were supposed to do — waiting — and they got hit,” said Sgt. Matt Sutter of the Anaheim Police Department.
All eight students were taken to local hospitals with injuries ranging from moderate to serious, though all are expected to survive, police said.
The team’s adult coach, who was running behind the group, witnessed the crash as it unfolded.
“As a parent myself, you trust that your kids will be safe at school. A tragedy like this is devastating,” Sutter added. “I feel for the coach who had to watch this happen to his kids.”
Police arrested the driver, identified as 27-year-old Athony Alva-Palafox, on suspicion of DUI. He was also hospitalized for injuries, though his condition was not immediately available.
The Anaheim Union High School District confirmed that seven Anaheim High School students were involved.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our students and their families during this time,” the district said in a statement.
SkyCal footage showed firefighters treating several teens on the sidewalk. At least five of the injured students were carried away on stretchers and loaded into ambulances.
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