Girl Struck By Vehicle At LAX Remains Listed In Critical Condition

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 9-year-old girl who was struck by a vehicle at Los Angeles International Airport remained listed in critical condition on Monday. (Editor's note: a previous version of this article incorrectly stated the victim was 9 years old.)

According to the Los Angeles City Fire Department, crews were sent shortly before 5 p.m. on Sunday to Terminal 7 departures for report of a car into a structure.

A preliminary investigation revealed a 67-year-old male driver of a 2015 Porshe Panamera struck a 7-year-old female pedestrian who was standing on the curb at the terminal with family members.

The vehicle then jumped the curb, struck a luggage cart, and smashed into the stucco wall of a utility room at the terminal, which is a hub for United Airlines.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the young girl was transported to a hospital for treatment of a cracked skull and bleeding in her brain. She remains listed in critical condition.

Authorities said the driver of the Porsche and his passenger were transported for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, and were listed in good condition.

According to L.A. City Fire spokesperson Brian Humphrey, the young girl is the daughter of an airline employee.

"All indications [are] saying that he probably mistook the gas pedal for the brake in the vehicle when he was dropping off a passenger here at Terminal 7, United Airlines," LAPD Sgt. Roy Ceja said.

However, firefighters explained the collision caused minimal damage to the building.

"The building is pretty fortified, so to speak," said L.A. City Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Armando Hogan. "Although it looks like it, I don't want to consider it simply cosmetic."

Detectives said they believe the crash was an accident, and alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the crash.

The crash did not impact air traffic or operations. Shortly after 6 p.m., the vehicle from the terminal.

Authorities are expected to inspect what maintenance needs to be done to the terminal throughout the day.

CBS2's Jasmine Viel clarified that the airport will be paying for the repairs, not the airline.

The investigation is ongoing.