13-year-old student hospitalized after hit and run on Fallbrook Street

A 13-year-old junior high school student is in Fallbrook Hospital after he was hit by a pickup truck while he headed to school.

According to California Highway Patrol officer Eric Newbury, an older primer gray Toyota pickup truck was headed eastbound on Fallbrook Street at 7:05 a.m.

As the vehicle approached the Wisconsin Street intersection, the 13-year-old male student from Potter Junior High was walking in the crosswalk at the intersection of Wisconsin and Fallbrook Street, headed northbound.

“The driver failed to stop at the crosswalk, hitting the 13-year-old boy. There is no stop sign on Fallbrook Street, so drivers have to be aware of pedestrians,” said Newbury. “While the driver’s speed is unknown, if he had been going any faster, we would be dealing with a fatality. We got lucky.”

Newbury stated that after hitting the boy, the driver of the vehicle stopped, backed up his vehicle, slowly drove around the boy, and then fled the scene.

“We are not sure why the driver didn’t stop,” said Newbury. “Typically, the people who do not stop after a collision don’t have a license or insurance, have been drinking, or have a warrant for their arrest. They figure they will lose their vehicle.”

According to witnesses, the driver of the truck may have been a Hispanic male. Potter students say that they have seen the vehicle in the area frequently before, leading investigating officers to believe that the driver may be a local resident.

“The students are on the lookout,” said Newbury.

The victim suffered scrapes, and complained of hip pain, and was taken to Fallbrook Hospital.

Individuals who may have information pertinent to this case may contact Officer Mike Bush at the California Highway Patrol office at (760) 757-1675.