Car Crash Leaves Canyon High Sophomore In Critical Condition

Posted by: Perry Smith in Sheriff News June 2, 2014 - 10:37 am 0 471 Views

A 15-year-old Canyon High School sophomore remains hospitalized in critical condition following a single-car crash near the Cross Valley Connector on Saturday night, a Hart district official said Monday.

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Shortly after 10 p.m., a Honda Accord with five teenagers inside crashed into a pole while traveling eastbound on Newhall Ranch Road, near Santa Clarita Parkway, according to officials. A second teen hospitalized in the crash is expected to be released from the hospital today.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the girls and families of this accident and we hope for a full recovery for all of them,” said Gail Pinsker, Hart district spokeswoman.

Related article: Four Teens Hospitalized In Saugus Car Crash Near Cross Valley Connector

Kelly Watson, a 15-year-old Canyon High School sophomore, is still recovering from emergency brain surgery at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

She was one of two high school students seriously hurt when they were ejected from the vehicle Saturday.

Five girls were in the vehicle, four were Canyon High students and one was student of Opportunities For Learning, a William S. Hart Union High School District charter school that operates independently of the district.

The driver is a junior at Canyon High, and the other three Canyon students are sophomores.

Two passengers were ejected from the car, and initial reports indicated the some of the vehicle’s occupants were not wearing their seatbelt.

The identity of the Honda’s driver was not released by Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials. Drugs and alcohol were not initially reported as factors in the crash, according to officials.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by deputies with the Traffic Unit of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

“As of last night, our understanding is that the driver and one other Canyon student and the OFL student are resting at home,” Pinsker said, declining to name the occupants out of respect for the families.

Fire Department officials followed up on two of the patients, which had more severe injuries.

One other Canyon student, believed to be at Holy Cross, is expected to be released today.

All suffered some minor abrasions and injuries, but are no longer requiring hospital care.

Newhall Ranch Road was shut down for several hours following the crash.

The crash came just one week after the beginning of White Ribbon Week, which asks members of Hart district schools’ graduating classes to make a pledge to drive safe.