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Authorities are trying to understand why a student at Hemet High School drove through an intersection filled with classmates leaving campus after school on Wednesday.
18-year-old Daniel Carrillo ran a red light in his 1994 Ford pickup truck and struck seven students and one adult in the crosswalk, according to KTLA. It was described as bodies, books and backpacks everywhere.
Grief counselors are on campus today.
"People said it was a mechanical accident. It wasn't," an eyewitness student said to the reporter. "The car came and hit them. The truck went up and landed and all you see is five, six, seven kids under the car just rolling over each other."
The principal said that one adult and two students are in critical condition. Five students had minor injuries.
Carrillo was in the truck with his twin brother and friend at the time of the accident, according to the report. California Highway Patrol is investigating the case, reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses. They also impounded the truck and will give it a full mechanical inspection. No criminal charges have been filed.
