Car strikes two students near Kent elementary school, crashes into tree

KENT, Wash. — Two elementary students were struck by a car near Neely O’Brien Elementary School in Kent on Monday afternoon and sustained minor injuries.

At 3:33 p.m., Kent Police Department (KPD) officers were dispatched to multiple reports that a car had struck two children, and the car then crashed into a tree, according to the City of Kent.

As officers were en route to the scene, dispatch relayed reports of a bystander confronting the driver and possibly engaging in a physical altercation.

Kent officers located two children with minor injuries, driver contacted at the scene

Once officers arrived, they immediately worked to locate the children and provide medical aid. Officers found an eight- and nine-year-old who sustained minor injuries. Fire and medical personnel also responded to provide medical treatment.

At the same time, other officers contacted the driver. Investigators are working to determine if impairment or speed were factors in the collision.

Once the scene was stabilized, KPD officers began interviewing witnesses and obtained the following initial information:

A vehicle traveling south on 64th Avenue S approached the intersection with S 236th Street, veered right, hopped the sidewalk, and struck two students walking south from the school.

The vehicle continued and crashed into a tree to the south of the intersection.

Both students were transported to Valley Medical Center for additional evaluation and treatment. The Kent Traffic Unit has taken over the investigation.

The City of Kent is coordinating with school officials to send out notifications to parents of Neely O’Brien Elementary students.

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