“They are living their worst nightmare right now," said a family member about the parents of the young girl who has significant head trauma.
Five children were injured after being hit by a van while crossing a street. The preschool students were in Pollock Pines in California on Wednesday, May 31, just after 10:30 a.m. when the incident took place. "The teachers were taking the children on a field trip down the street to the park. While crossing the street and using the crosswalk, they were hit by a van," read a message on a GoFundMe set up for 4-year-old Juniper Ammons. Three children sustained significant injuries as a result of the collision, while two others sustained minor injuries NBC affiliate KCRA-TV. One boy was taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center with serious injuries, while a boy and a girl were taken to Marshall Medical Center with minor injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol said it is responding to a vehicle crash Wednesday that possibly involves children being hurt. https://t.co/3M9n3XJg9y
— kcranews (@kcranews) May 31, 2023
A family member explained on GoFundMe that the children were taken to nearby hospitals, with a couple of them being airlifted. "My niece was one of them. Juniper was airlifted to the hospital and is in the pediatric ICU. She has significant head trauma and has been intubated and placed on a ventilator. My sister and brother-in-law have been bedside with her since she arrived. In order to support them as best we can, I am hoping to help raise some funds to help alleviate some of the financial stress this may put on them," Jillian Leach said. Juniper’s parents, Catie and Trevor, “have been bedside with her since she arrived," Leach shared. “They are living their worst nightmare right now." The page has raised $79,702 out of its $100,000 goal at the time of this publication.
5 kids hit by van in Pollock Pines while crossing street https://t.co/riAUaxeInI pic.twitter.com/eA5xIrtSea
— CBS Sacramento (@CBSSacramento) June 1, 2023
All of the children were students at Pine Top Montessori which released a statement on Thursday morning regarding the crash, "At Pine Top Montessori, the well-being of each child under our care is our highest priority. We consider all our students to be a part of our family. Our hearts and prayers are with all our families, and we are sending our prayers for their speedy recovery." The school added that they were "in close communication with authorities and parents to address the issue. To ensure the safety of all children, we respectfully ask that only parents and their children visit our facility." The driver of the van, a 21-year-old man, remained at the scene and cooperated with officials following the collision.
Family: Juniper Ammons, child among those hit in Pollock Pines, in stable condition https://t.co/8fObqwbAFc
— ABC10 (@ABC10) June 2, 2023
As of Thursday, Allison Warren told KXTV Juniper was in stable condition. She went on to call Juniper a “ray of sunshine” who “lights up a room.” Warren said, “We laugh because we talk about her being such an old soul. She says things that you're like, 'How did that come out of a four-year-old's mouth?’” Warren also added that the little girl has “the largest heart ever.”
5 Kids Injured, Including 4-Year-Old with 'Significant Head Trauma', After Being Hit by Van on Field Trip https://t.co/c9pKgtfxdM
— People (@people) June 2, 2023
References:
https://www.kcra.com/article/pollock-pines-crash-children-chp/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-juniper-and-her-family
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
