A driver, apparently blinded by the sun, struck and injured two young brothers walking in Normal Heights Friday morning and was then hit by a car herself, San Diego police said.
Officials said a 29-year-old woman was driving a Toyota Matrix eastbound at 36th Street just before 7 a.m., turning onto El Cajon Boulevard, when she accidentally hit two boys – ages 14 and 12 – walking in the crosswalk.
The 14-year-old boy was thrown onto the sidewalk from the impact of the hit, while the 12-year-old was flung into a traffic lane. The boys' backpacks flew off, landing on a nearby sidewalk.
Police said the driver stopped and got out of her car to help the boys. Other passersby also stopped to help.
At this point, a 72-year-old driver in a Honda Accord approached the scene and struck both the woman and 12-year-old boy in the street, the San Diego Police Department said. A passerby who had been helping was also hit.
The 12-year-old boy suffered major injuries in both hits and was rushed to a local hospital. Police said he was being treated for a broken left femur and several other unspecified injuries.
The first driver and 14-year-old boy suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals, police confirmed. The passerby suffered a minor injury to his torso.
NBC 7 spoke to witness Abdul Ahmed, who said he saw the boys using the crosswalk when they were hit by the first car and stopped to help.
Ahmed said another bystander also stopped to render aid to the younger boy in the street. Abdul said that bystander had the boy in his arms when the second car hit the group.
He said the impact took the boy right out of his hands.
Police said all four injured victims were expected to recover.
The crash is under investigation, but police said it appeared the first driver was traveling against the sun and the sunlight prevented her from seeing the two young pedestrians.
Further details were not immediately released. Police investigated the site of the crash throughout the morning. They collected evidence and spoke with witnesses to figure out exactly what transpired leading up to the accident. Police said alcohol did not appear to be a factor.
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No citations were given to either one of the drivers at the scene.
Officers directed traffic in the area, as lanes were blocked off from 35th to 36th streets following the crash. Police expected the streets to be cleared by 9:30 a.m.
Check back for updates on this developing story and also watch NBC 7 News at Midday for more details.
