Accident injures nine Yuma High School athletes
UPDATE – Friday, September 6, 2019
The California Highway Patrol said the driver of the Yuma High school bus with 40 volleyball players on board caused a chain-reaction crash involving two other vehicles.
Sgt. Jose Serrano said, ” There was slow or stopped traffic. For reasons yet to be determined, the driver did not notice the slow or stopped traffic and rear-ended a Dodge pickup truck which subsequently was pushed forward and rear-ended another Dodge pickup truck. ”
This on Thursday night, around 8:38 p.m., at south Imperial Avenue and Elm Street in El Centro. The students were leaving a local game.
“Approximately 9 pupils were transported and treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and one other driver was transported,” Serrano said.
The students were released the same night. No information on the pickup driver’s condition. But, so far the bus driver isn’t facing any charges.
Meanwhile, a national study said distracted driving causes 25% of all motor vehicle crash fatalities.
“Try to avoid all distractions, whether it be food, your radio, and especially cellphone and any electronic devices you may have in your hand,” Serrano said.
Chp encourages defensive driving at all times.
“It’s very critical in everyday driving; you need to be aware of all your surroundings, whether it be the roadway ahead of you, pedestrians crossing intersections and also for emergency traffic behind you,” Serrano said.
The investigation is ongoing.
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UPDATE
Yuma Union High School District reports that as of last night, all students have been released from the hospital. There will be no practice today.
ORIGINAL STORY
We’re getting new details about a traffic accident that sent at least ten Yuma High School volleyball players to the hospital Thursday night.
El Centro police say the crash happened around 8:40 yesterday evening near Imperial and Elm Avenues. Officers tell us the school bus carrying the athletes collided with two other vehicles. Both were stopped at a red light.
Several students got hurt in the crash. Paramedics sent at least ten players to the hospital. No word yet on if any were admitted.
The athletes were in El Centro for a game.
We’ll have more details as this story develops.
