A tragic crash near Pershing Middle School in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego left one child dead and two others seriously injured Monday morning. The students were walking to school when they were struck by a vehicle near the intersection of Lake Badin and Jackson Drive just after 7:20 a.m., according to the San Diego Police.
The students, one boy and two girls, were all sixth graders walking to Pershing Middle School when the incident occurred. Police said the driver stopped immediately after the collision and rendered aid at the scene.
All three children were taken to Rady Children’s Hospital, where one of the victims, a 12-year-old boy, died from his injuries. The two surviving students suffered serious injuries, including a compound fracture to one child’s arm.
In an email to families, Pershing Middle School Principal Melanie Kray shared the heartbreaking news. She added that district counselors would be available at the campus to support students, staff, and parents.
Pershing Middle School Principal Melanie Kray Statement to Families
It is with great sadness that I share the tragic news of the death of one of our students. All of us at Pershing are heartbroken by this loss, and our thoughts are with the student’s family and loved ones during this very difficult time.
This morning, there was a traffic accident at Lake Badin and Jackson Drive involving a car and three of our students. Sadly, one student did not survive. The condition of the other two students remains unknown at this time.
The San Diego Police Department is investigating the accident. As we receive more information, we will continue to keep our families informed as appropriate.
District counselors will be on campus this week to assist students, staff and parents. The counselors will continue to provide support as needed. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to maintain our daily routine while supporting each other as we deal with this sad event. We will be sharing additional information as it becomes available.
If you want to talk with your child about this, here are some tips that may be helpful: Provide outlets for expression such as drawing, writing and talking. Be honest. If asked difficult questions, it’s OK to say you don’t know the answers. Reassure your child of their own health and safety. Stay physically close to your child and hug them often.
We ask that you please respect the privacy of our families during this difficult time. We are a close and caring community, and we will continue to support one another through this time of grief and healing.
Sincerely,
Melanie Kray
Principal
The investigate the circumstances of the crash is ongoing, however, at this time speed or speed or alcohol involvement are not suspected to be factors.
As of Monday afternoon, a Honda sedan with a crushed windshield remained in the roadway. It has been reported that the driver of the vehicle that struck the children, a man in his 30s, did stop and tried to provide aid.
Justice, Safety, and the Difficult Road Ahead
For families, the loss of a child under such tragic circumstances is a devastation that words cannot fully describe. Accidents involving schoolchildren often bring issues of safety near school zones, traffic enforcement, and community awareness into focus.
According to neighborhood resident Tom Bruney, a parent of a student at the school interviewed by ABC10, visibility and road design might have played a factor.
“People don’t usually travel speed limit and coming over this hill, the sun is right in your eyes,” said Bruney, “My heart is, I’m fighting back tears. It’s so awful. Could easily have been my son. My heart just goes out to family of these kids.”
“Children should be safe walking to and from school each day.” said Gerald Singleton, managing partner of Singleton Schreiber. “When tragedies like this happen, it shakes an entire community. Our hearts go out to the families involved. Any family affected by such tragedy will need proper guidance to ensure that justice and accountability will drive the required safety improvements needed to prevent this from ever happening again.”
Singleton Schreiber has represented many families throughout San Diego and across the West Coast who have lost loved ones or children in tragic, yet preventable traffic incidents. The firm is dedicated to making communities safer, especially for children, and helping families find answers and navigate the difficult processes that follow incidents like this one.
Initial reports indicate that all three children were siblings, making this a devastating tragedy for this family and community. If your children were struck today, contact Singleton Schreiber today for a free consultation. Nothing can take away what happened today, but the firm’s compassionate attorneys can help you seek justice for your children and, perhaps, work to make your community safer.
