UPDATE MAY 26, 2022: Jason Carlos Guzman, the 26-year-old who struck three children outside of an elementary school with his car, has been formally charged with attempted murder. He has been officially charged with seven counts of pre-meditated attempted murder, seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon, three counts of hit-and-run with injury, and three counts of child abuse according to KTLA 5.
SANTA ANA, CA (May 24, 2022) – A number of children were struck by a car near Taft Elementary School in Orange County on Monday according to ABC 7.
Three children were hit by the vehicle and taken to the hospital, police said, adding that they also found a “suspicious incendiary device” inside the vehicle after the crash. The Orange County bomb squad was called in to investigate the device.
Santa Ana police say that 26-year-old Jason Guzman of Valencia trespassed into the elementary school before the crash that occurred around 8:30 a.m. He was said to be wearing a backpack on campus and asked to use the restroom before he was escorted off the grounds.
School administrators said that Guzman was talking to himself and might have been under the influence of drugs. He then drove off in a red car before driving up onto a sidewalk and hitting several children.
ABC 7 reports:
“I saw a couple kids on the ground. One was in the middle of the street,” said witness and resident Isaias Vazquez. “So I walk up to them to kind of like, just tend to them, see what’s going on. As I walk up to them, I saw an individual with a knife just walking toward the group of people. Luckily, he turned away and went back to his vehicle.”
Witnesses later reported that Guzman had a large knife inside his vehicle and stabbed himself in the stomach. When he was arrested by police, he fell to the ground and had blood all over his stomach.
Guzman has been taken to the hospital for the treatment of his injuries, the extent of which is currently unknown.
The three children that were struck by the car were also hospitalized, but are said to be in stable condition.
Liability In Orange County Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in pedestrian accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “An estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. Per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash.” There are a number of factors that could lead to a pedestrian collision including:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Driver distraction
- Inclement weather
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. The family of any victim that died in a pedestrian collision may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Orange County Pedestrian Accident
We at West Coast Trial Lawyers extend our best wishes to the families of the children who were tragically injured in this case. Any person that may have additional information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Orange County pedestrian accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need assistance after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 395-7234.