Video captures the terrifying moment a suspected DUI driver slams into a car and narrowly misses bystanders before crashing into a school playground in Downey.
The crash happened on Jan. 25 at Gallatin Elementary School located near the intersection of Manzanar Avenue and Gallatin Road at around 5 p.m.
Surveillance video captured by a neighbor across the street shows a large white SUV speeding down the road before suddenly veering onto the sidewalk. The driver slams into a parked sedan and narrowly misses two pedestrians near the sidewalk.
The sedan was pushed through a fence surrounding the school and both vehicles crash-landed on the campus playground. The pedestrians were seen running for their lives.
Gaby Enciso is a witness who lives across the street from the school.
“When I came out the front door, I saw the white SUV in the playground,” Enciso said. “It looked like total chaos, for sure.
She checked her home security camera and, to her surprise, discovered it had captured the violent crash, the loud sound of crunching metal and screeching tires overtaking the footage.
“Just thinking about it, I was really shaky,” she recalled. “Just chills all over. It was really, really shocking.”
Enciso said she was stunned to see how close the car came to hitting the two pedestrians. She ran across the street to offer them help.
“The lady who almost got hit, she lifted her pant leg and I did see bruising, scrapes and scratches,” Enciso said.
She called the police and provided the security footage to authorities. The suspect driver was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Their identity was not released.
No children or school staff were injured in the incident. Upon hearing news of the crash, local residents told KTLA that speeding is a major problem in the area.
“I have concerns because my daughter plays in [the school playground],” said Michael Aviles, a concerned parent.
Aviles is among a group of concerned parents who want to start a conversation with the school about safety measures that can be taken to protect children and staff.
”That’s one area where the kids need to be protected, especially where the kindergarteners play because they’re on the main street right here,” Aviles said. “So I feel like it definitely is time to change the fence or do something to protect them.”
“More signs or something,” said Don Monroy, an elementary school student. “Stop signs, traffic lights. Don’t become drunk and don’t speed.”
Following the crash, school officials installed a temporary barrier as they fix the destroyed fence and playground area.
The Downey Unified School District said it is working with the police department on the investigation along with the installation of permanent fencing that will better protect students on campus.
Footage of the crash can be seen in the video player above.