Four high school students were injured and one is in critical condition Friday after a driver crashed his car into a street light that collapsed and injured the group.
Travis James Weible, of Riverside, was driving a silver 2012 Honda Civic on Peyton Drive next to Ruben S. Ayala High School when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle, according to the Chino Hills Police Department.
The car jumped a curb and collided with a cement street light, causing the light to shatter and collapse, officials said in a press release. The vehicle sustained major damage before coming to rest in the street.
During this time, four Ayala High School students, a 14-year-old, two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old, were walking on the sidewalk in the path of the car.
The street light stopped the car from hitting most of the group directly, but debris from the shattered light struck the three youngest students.
The 17-year-old student appears to have been struck by debris and the car itself, police said. He was flown via helicopter to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.
The three students hit by debris were examined and treated at the scene by Chino Valley Fire personnel.
Weible was helped out of the car before the Honda Civic caught fire and burned to the ground. He was also flown in a helicopter to a local hospital with moderate injuries.
The 32-year-old was allegedly driving erratically and was involved in two separate non-injury collisions before crashing into the street light, police said.
Investigators do not believe Weible intentionally tried to hit the students and he has no known ties to them or the school. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved.
Detectives have not ruled out a DUI, inattention and/or speed as contributing factors to the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call the Chino Hills Sheriff’s Station at (909) 364-2000.