Seven students on a California high school’s track team were injured in a crash Wednesday when the driver veered off the road in a suspected drunk driving incident, police said.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m. near Harbor Boulevard and North Street in Anaheim, police said in a news release.
The students, all ages 16 and 17, were on a training run and were waiting for the traffic light to change when they were struck. Seven were taken to the hospital with various non-life-threatening injuries, the release said. They were accompanied by an adult coach at the time of the crash.
The driver, Anthony Alva-Palafox, 27, was traveling southbound on a green light when he veered off the road and struck the group, according to the release.
Police said that the crash is being investigated as a possible DUI and that Alva-Palafox “displayed objective signs of intoxication.” He was also taken to the hospital for injuries.
Video from the scene taken by NBC Los Angeles showed a car on the sidewalk after it crashed into the perimeter wall of a home. The station reported that at least one person was seen being treated on a stretcher.
“There was probable cause to believe Mr. Alva-Palafox was operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner due to his level of intoxication,” police said. “He was arrested on suspicion of DUI for both alcohol and drugs. His level of intoxication and drug type will be determined later through blood analysis.”
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., said Wednesday 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 said.
The Anaheim Union High School District said its “thoughts and prayers are with our students and their families during this time.”
Police said that Alva-Palafox’s car was impounded and that a search warrant is pending to determine whether there was any evidence in the vehicle. Speed and other factors contributing to the crash are under investigation, police said.
