Car Hits Dad Walking with Son on Sidewalk at Madera School

A father walking with his son on the sidewalk at Madera Elementary School in El Cerrito Monday afternoon was struck by a car that jumped the curb and pushed him into a tree, police said.

The man – a 40-year-old El Cerrito resident – was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, said police Traffic Sergeant Sean Maples. His son was not struck.

The car was driven by a woman who had just picked up her daughter at the school, Maples said. She had parked next to the sidewalk on the south side of Madera Circle just west of Arlington Boulevard, he said.

"The driver had the wheels of her Toyota Corolla turned slightly to the right when she accelerated and released the parking brake," Maples said in an email. "The vehicle drove onto the sidewalk striking a parent that had just picked up his son."

"The pedestrian was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle as the vehicle crossed the sidewalk and entered the side yard of the residence located on the corner," he said. "The vehicle came to rest against a large tree, pinning the pedestrian between the branches of the tree and the windshield of the vehicle.  The pedestrian freed himself and was treated at the scene by the Fire Department and Paramedics from AMR." 

The driver, a 54-year-old El Cerrito resident, was cited for being an unlicensed driver and her car was impounded, Maples said. Neither she or her child were injured in the accident, he said.

Police responded to the report of the accident at about 2:50 p.m., he said.

"It is extremely important for parents, School Staff and members of the community to work together to assure that our children can safely arrive and depart our school facilities," said Maples, who met with Principal Alison Makela and school staff after the collision to explain what happened. "The City has been working closely with the school and the neighborhood to address concerns in the area for several years. Several changes have recently been implemented and additional changes are scheduled for the coming months."

"As a simple reminder," he added, "please drive safe and with the safety of our children in mind at all times when travelling the streets of our community, follow the rules of the road and all parking regulations."

Anyone with additional information about the accident is asked to contact Maples at 510 215 4435.