10-year-old Cathedral City girl in critical condition after being hit by a car

CATHEDRAL CITY - A 10-year-old Cathedral City girl was in critical condition after being hit by a car near an elementary school today.

The accident was reported about 2:30 p.m. near Rio Vista Elementary in the 67700 block of Verona Road in Cathedral City, police Sgt. Corwin de Veas said.

''The driver admitted he became impatient and began to drive down the center turn lane in front of the school. As he was traveling, the (girl) ran from the north side of the street in an attempt to get to the south side of the street,'' de Veas said.

The car, a Toyota Corolla driven by 38-year-old Luis Delgadillo of Cathedral City, stuck the girl at a speed of 18-25 mph, the sergeant said.

''Witnesses said the young (girl) flew over the hood of the vehicle and landed face first into the pavement,'' de Veas said.

The girl, whose name was withheld, was transported to Desert Regional Medical Center in critical condition, the sergeant said.

Delgadillo, who was driving without a license, previously was cited for being unlicensed while driving the same car. Drugs and alcohol didn't appear to be a factor in the incident, de Veas said.

It was not known if Delgadillo was arrested. His name wasn't listed in jail logs as of 5 p.m.