A Desert Hot Springs man is accused of rear-ending a school bus and then plowing into a group of children walking home, killing a 9-year-old girl and injuring three.
A driver was arrested on suspicion of rear-ending a school bus in the Coachella Valley on Thursday and then plowing his Cadillac into a group of children walking home, killing a 9-year-old girl and injuring three other youngsters.
Robert Hanson of Desert Hot Springs, 87, was booked late Thursday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run resulting in death, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department inmate information website.The crash occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday near Desert Hot Springs, north of Palm Springs.
The Cadillac then drove around the bus, went onto the shoulder, hit a speed limit sign and struck four children, California Highway Patrol officials said.An 8-year-old boy suffering from major injuries and an 11-year-old girl with minor injuries were taken to the hospital, the Highway Patrol said, and a 12-year-old girl was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
He added: “We want our families and staff to know that we are here for them to provide any support they need now or in the coming days and weeks ahead.”