A female La Cañada High School cross-country runner was struck by a car on Tuesday and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a school official.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was called to Berkshire Place and Oak Grove Drive at about 4 p.m., said Austin Bennett, a department spokesman. He confirmed that one person was transported to a local hospital.
LCHS Principal Jim Cartnal said on Wednesday that the school’s team was running as a group and the student “lagged a little bit behind” because of an untied shoe. She was running in the crosswalk in the Berkshire-Oak Grove intersection when she was struck, Cartnal said.
The runner was later transported to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, he said, where her coach Andy DiConti and parents joined her before she was released.
“She’s a little sore but there was no significant damage and she’s resting at home,” Cartnal said. “We’re primarily focused on ensuring her safety right now and then we’ll take an examination on whether and how we’ll choose to communicate about this.”
Cartnal said with the cross-country season coming to an end, the coach will address “safe running” and runners’ need for a buddy system.
He said the district is “always advocating” for safe driving in and around the schools.
“You can never say that enough,” Cartnal said.
La Cañada Unified School District Superintendent Wendy Sinnette added via email that the district’s immediate priority was to “make sure the student and the team are attended to and supported.”
Sgt. Greg Taylor of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station said on Wednesday that a report did not state if the incident occurred in the crosswalk or who was at fault.
“It says someone ran across the street,” said Taylor, adding that there were no arrests. “They suffered a minor abrasion and pain but no significant injuries.”
The driver stayed behind to answer questions, he said, adding the Fire Department arrived at the location first.
LCHS Runner Struck by Vehicle Near Campus, Avoids Major Injury
