A group of high school athletes was mowed down by a suspected drunk driver in broad daylight during a routine training run in California on Wednesday afternoon, cops said.
Eight students with Anaheim High School’s track and field team were injured in the harrowing midday collision, leaving parents at the school shocked at the horrifying wreck.
“It’s heartbreaking. The first thing I did was call both of my boys to make sure they were all right. I know most likely they are going to know some of the students,” dad of of the students, Eddie Martinez told KTLA.
The squad of runners was waiting near a crosswalk on a bustling street in Anaheim, Calif. when a car swerved onto the sidewalk and slammed into them, according to a news release from the Anaheim Police Department .
The orange Toyota Corolla, was being driven by 27-year-old Anthony Alva-Palafox, who authorities claimed “displayed objective signs of intoxication” at the scene, police said.
Alva-Palafox and seven of the students were hospitalized and treated for varying injuries.
Traffic camera footage obtained by NBC Los Angeles showed the car cruising through a green light before drifting onto the crosswalk and slamming into the team. He barreled through them and collided with a low brick wall, which crumbled against the force of the vehicle.
The team consisted of both boys and girls between 16 and 17 years old. They were accompanied by their adult coach, who was not injured, according to the release.
California Rep. Lou Correa assured in an update on X that “all of the students appear to be recovering, with one student still waiting for results of additional medical tests.”
“Our prayers are with the families,” he wrote.
Alva-Paladox was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs. A search warrant for his impounded vehicle is pending, police said.
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