McKinley Elementary School Student in Critical Condition After Van Accident

Bay City News Service

Petaluma police said an 11-year-old student at McKinley Elementary School is in critical condition after she ran into the side of a van this afternoon.

The girl, who is a Petaluma resident, and a friend ran across Ellis Street in front of the school around 2:52 p.m., Lt. Tim Lyons said.

The driver of the white Ford van tried to swerve to avoid hitting the girl, but she struck the side of the van and was run over, Lyons said. The other girl was not injured.

She was taken by ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and is in critical condition, Lyons said.

The van stopped, and there is no indication the male driver was speeding or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Lyons said.

The girls were not in a marked crosswalk or under the supervision of a crossing guard, who was about 40 yards away, Lyons said.