A driver lost control of his car and hit a Riverside bus stop, killing two and injuring two others on Friday afternoon, authorities said.
A woman in her 20s and a girl were killed in the 1 p.m. crash near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Tyler Street, according to fire officials.
A man who identified himself as the young victim’s grandfather tearfully spoke to detectives Friday night, clutching photos (pictured below) of his 7-year-old granddaughter near the scene. Earlier reports said the girl was between 2 and 3 years old.
Obviously shaken, he identified himself as Ron but did not want to speak on camera. He did tell NBC4, however, that the girl’s father was also injured in the crash.
Officials said another woman and a man were hospitalized in critical condition with injuries to their lower limbs.
The driver was treated by rescue workers and did not suffer any major injuries, according to Riverside police.
Investigators said it did not appear that drugs, alcohol or speed played a role in the collision.
Multiple engine crews were sent to the scene to rescue a man hit by the vehicle and still wedged beneath it, Riverside Fire Department Battalion Chief Bob Bock said.
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The crash occurred at Magnolia Avenue west of Tyler Street (map), across the busy roadway from a large shopping mall called the Galleria at Tyler. The collision was in front on an IHOP restaurant.
It came during the busy post-Christmas shopping season.
Aerial video showed a maroon sedan in a grassy strip next to Magnolia Avenue, along with a downed light pole. The car had crashed into a sign for a Michael's store at the entrance to a strip mall.
A spokeswoman for the Riverside police and fire departments said the situation was "really bad." She said at about 1:15 p.m. she could not release details and was headed to the scene.
Multiple emergency vehicles responded to the location.
Magnolia Avenue was closed in both directions, aerial video showed.
City News Service contributed to this report.
