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100-Year-Old Driver Jumps Curb Near Elementary School, 11 People Hurt [UPDATED]
A driver has jumped the curb near an elementary school at 53rd and Main streets in South Los Angeles, leaving eight people injured.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reports that six of the patients are seriously injured, and that children are among those hurt. Students were waiting outside Main Street Elementary school waiting to be picked up when the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.The accident was reported just after 2:30 p.m. today.
#BREAKINGNEWS Vehicle jumped the curb in South LA at 53rd &Main. Several students &adults hit
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 29, 2012
There is unconfirmed information that the driver is elderly, perhaps 101 years old, as noted in a live broadcast on KCAL-9 and in this Tweet:
BREAKING: Reports that driver involved in crash that hurt 8+ including kids nr Main St Elem at 53rd & Main may be 101 yrs old. @myfoxla
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) August 29, 2012
UPDATE: The driver spoke to KCAL-9 on camera and said he was 101 years old, and explained that his brakes failed. The children who were hit are thought to be students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade. The driver's grandson told KCAL-9 his grandfather holds a valid license.
UPDATE Aug. 30, 8:10 AM: The driver has been identified as Preston Carter, who turns 101 years old next week. His license is valid, has only the restriction that he wear glasses, and he has no record of accidents, according to a live broadcast on KTLA.
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11 people were injured in the accident, of which four were seriously injured children, according to the LAFD. All are in stable condition and there were no fatalities.
The case was being investigated as an accident, and Carter has not been cited or charged as of this morning, said Officer Alvin Linton of the Los Angeles Police Department's South Traffic Division, according to City News Service. The vehicle would be inspected to determine if there was indeed anything wrong with the brakes, he said.
*Editor's note: The headline of the story has been changed to reflect updated information regarding the exact age of the driver and the number of injured pedestrians.
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