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Two young students hospitalized after being hit by car in Azusa, California

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.

AZUSA ? California

Two 14-year-old students were hit by a car while walking to school Tuesday morning, leaving them hospitalized in critical condition.

The boy, a student at Azusa High School, and the girl, a student at Foothill Middle School, were crossing Baseline Road near Rockvale Avenue about 7:30 a.m. when they were struck by a white Nissan Maxima driven by an Azusa woman.

Azusa police Cpl. Donald Manley said a preliminary investigation indicated the driver was not speeding nor was she under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Her view of the street may have been obscured by the morning sun, Manley said.

It has not been determined if she had a green light at the time of the accident.

Ashlie Makroglous, 20, lives in a home next to the intersection. She said it looked as though the girl was injured worse than the boy.

Both students were taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center by a Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter that landed on the field at Azusa High School a short time after the accident.

“They were here within minutes,” Manley said.

Kathleen Miller, spokeswoman for Azusa Unified School District, said counselors are visiting both schools to speak with students who witnessed the accident. She also said a letter explaining the situation will be sent home to parents.

“We’re praying for the best for both their families,” she said.

The students aren’t the first to be struck by a car in the intersection. In September 2008, 11-year-old Martin Solorio was hit and killed by a car while riding his bike home from his first day at Foothill Middle School.

Makroglous said she didn’t understand why no crossing guard has been posted at the intersection – used by many students who live south of the 210 Freeway.

“That’s now three kids,” she said.

Azusa Mayor Joe Rocha said the city and school district “work together as a team” to provide crossing guards – the city pays for them and the district places them where they are needed.

Rocha said he’d like to see more crossing guards used throughout the city, especially in that intersection.

“I know it is a pretty high speed area,” he said. “You see many kids using the pedestrian bridge and it empties right out into Rockvale.”

Fred Vel, 47, lives next to the intersection and said he was saddened by the accident. He hopes something will be done.

“It would be great to have a crossing guard here,” he said. “Anything to help this out.”

If you or your family has been injured anywhere in the State of California, you may contact our law firm for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 ext. 1, or submit your case through our website at http://www.therpersonalinjury.com

Azusa California Car Accident and Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Full post as published by California Personal Injury Law Blog on March 30, 2011 (boomark / email).