ORLANDO, Fla. – A teenage girl was struck and injured Friday near Olympia High School in Orange County after a driver possibly suffered a medical episode, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The crash happened around 7:17 a.m. on South Apopka Vineland Road near Conroy Windermere Road.
According to troopers, a 65-year-old woman was driving a 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class south on South Apopka Vineland Road when she ran the red light during a possible medical episode.
The girl, a 15-year-old, was crossing the street at the same time in a marked crosswalk. The front of the vehicle hit the teen, who was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers said the woman later drove herself to nearby Dr. Phillips Hospital, where she told investigators she had suffered a medical episode and lost consciousness before the crash. She also told troopers she was unaware she had hit anyone.
Orange County Public Schools told News 6 that families were notified that a student was struck by a vehicle while crossing Apopka Vineland Road.
The FHP initially listed the incident as a hit-and-run crash with injuries, but later said “the possible driver may have experienced a medical episode and is now at Dr. Phillips Hospital.”
Troopers have issued a medical re-examination request for the woman’s license.
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Witnesses told News 6 it was a frightening scene during the busy morning commute.
“It’s hard to see because you are in disbelief, like, wow, what did I just see,” said David Wallace, who was driving to work when the crash happened. “Her shoes were in the middle of the road. It hit her so hard, it knocked her shoes off.”
Wallace said he saw several students waiting on the curb when one of them began crossing the street before being hit. He said drivers quickly pulled over and flagged down officers who were stationed at the school.
He added that traffic in the area is often heavy during school drop-off times and believes added safety measures could help prevent future accidents.
“I’m on this road every week, and I’ve never seen a crossing guard at this intersection,” he said. “It really surprised me they don’t have one because this probably would have been avoided if there was a crossing guard or even flashing lights.”
Troopers said the teen is expected to recover.
An investigation is ongoing.