Anthony Alva-Palafox: Suspected DUI driver who plowed into 8 Anaheim student athletes identified
ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) — The suspected DUI driver who plowed into eight students on the Anaheim High School track and field team while they were out for a run has been identified.
Anthony Alva-Palafox, 27, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of DUI and his bail was set at $100,000. He has since bonded out of jail.
According to the Anaheim Police Department, Alva-Palafox “displayed objective signs of intoxication” following the crash.
“There was probable cause to believe Mr. Alva-Palafox was operating a motor vehicle in an unsafe manner due to his level of intoxication,” said police in a statement released Wednesday. “He was arrested on suspicion of DUI for both alcohol and drugs.”
Police said the students were waiting at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and W. North Street just before 3 p.m. when they were hit by a Toyota Corolla.
Eight students, all between 16 and 17 years old, were struck. Seven students were hospitalized, five of whom have since been released.
The remaining two have non-life threatening injuries, according to a spokesperson for the school.
Eyewitness News obtained surveillance video from a nearby business that shows a red Toyota veer right and head toward the corner where the students were standing.
Eight members of the Anaheim High School running team were hurt when a vehicle plowed into them at a street intersection, police said.
The students’ coach, who was with them during their run, along with staff at a nearby medical facility were among several people who rushed to help the students.
The Toyota has since been impounded and a search warrant is pending to determine if there was any evidence inside, according to police.
Police said Alva-Palafox’s level of intoxication will be determined through blood analysis.
Meantime, Anaheim High School held a crisis response meeting Thursday, saying a team was at the school for emotional support.
“It was very unfortunate,” said Linda Martinez, an Anaheim resident. “Obviously, this impacts our community, and not only that but a lot of families are affected by what happened. My heart goes out to each one of those students and their families because we’re all hurting.”
In 2022, a wrong-way driver slammed into a group of law enforcement recruits during a morning run in Whittier, injuring 25.
Last year, a speeding driver spun out, hit a pole and struck students on a sidewalk near the Anaheim Tennis Center.
Wednesday’s crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is being asked to call the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
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