Editor’s Note: This story has since been updated to reflect information regarding the driver and subsequent charges from the Chapel Hill Police Department.
The Chapel Hill Police Department announced one person is being charged for a vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon at Northside Elementary School.
A release from the town government on Tuesday said at around 4 p.m., a driver crashed a vehicle through a fence and hit playground equipment on the school grounds, which are located off Caldwell Street. On Wednesday morning, police charged Fiona Evans of Chapel Hill with a safe-movement violation.
According to the police department’s investigation of the crash, Evans was parking her SUV next to the Northside Elementary playground when she hit her gas pedal instead of her brakes. As a result, the vehicle crashed through the fence and struck playground equipment, where children were playing as part of an after-school program.
Police said Evans and two children who were on the playground were transported to UNC Hospitals following the crash. In Wednesday’s update, police said one child remains at the hospital. A third child was treated at the school for minor injuries from the incident.
Northside Elementary Principal Coretta Sharpless shared a message with her school’s community Tuesday evening to alert them of the news.
“Please join me in sending your positive thoughts and prayers to the students and families of all involved,” she wrote, “as well as the staff members and students who witnessed what happened. In all, approximately 20 students were on the playground when this happened.”
Sharp said she will be in communication with Northside Elementary families about options for support or arrangements needed for students or staff due to the crash. Additionally, the Chapel Hill Police Department’s crisis counselors assisted families and students in the immediate aftermath of the crash, according to Tuesday’s town alert.
The incident comes at a time when the community has heightened concern about safety around schools and safety around vehicles. Earlier this month, two teenage pedestrians were hit using a marked crosswalk on Estes Drive near Phillips Middle School. Community members and members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district have since been leading a renewed push for improved pedestrian safety in that area. Earlier on Tuesday, the Chapel Hill community learned of a bicyclist crash with a vehicle on West Franklin Street, which sent the cyclist to the hospital.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines