Counselors To Be At Hemet High School Following Crash That Injured 9

HEMET (CBS) — Counselors will be at Hemet High School Thursday, just one day after eight students and a 60-year-old woman were struck by a pickup truck in front of the campus.

Officials say a modified 1994 Ford Ranger driven by 18-year-old junior Daniel Carrillo struck the victims in a crosswalk on Stetson Avenue around 2 p.m.

Three of the victims are hospitalized in serious condition, including Helen Richardson, who is currently in a coma.

Carrillo, who ran a red light, claims his brakes failed before the crash. However, several witnesses say they heard his engine rev before the accident.

"That happens a lot around this school. They like rev their engine and they just go book it, so I honestly think he was just trying to be cool or whatever and then ended up hurting eight or 11 kids out there," Samantha Clemens, who witnessed the crash, told CBS2.

Authorities haven't issued any citations in connection with the crash. They say Carillo, whose truck will be inspected, stopped at the scene to help the injured students.

California Highway Patrol will continue investigating the incident and examine surveillance video.