2 Teen Runners Hit By Truck In Temecula Area Near Galway Downs

TEMECULA, CA — Two boys running along De Portola Road in unincorporated area of Temecula over the weekend were struck by a teen driver and hospitalized with moderate injuries, according to a preliminary report from the California Highway Patrol.

The boys, ages 14 and 15, both of Temecula, were struck at approximately 8 a.m. just east of Avenida Felicita, not far from Galway Downs.

Both boys were running eastbound on De Portola Road, with traffic, and were knocked down to the dirt shoulder after an 18-year-old Riverside woman driving eastbound in a 2016 Ford F-250 made an unsafe movement and clipped the two runners, according to the CHP.

The boys were transported via ground ambulance to Inland Valley Medical Center with moderate injuries, according to the CHP.

The woman cooperated with CHP officers and the case remains under investigation.

According to the boys' track coach Doug Soles, the boys were running in a group with seven senior boys behind them. They were on a wide dirt path on the right of the road.

"None of the boys were running on the road, they were all on the dirt path away from the road," Soles said.

The truck driver crossed over the right line and struck them, Soles continued.

"The truck came over the line to hit them, had damage to the front end of the truck and the mirror, showing the truck came over the line and extended out to strike the boys," he said.

The boys were immediately stabilized by the senior group of runners, as the older group called 911, coaches and parents, Soles explained.

"Our athletes are trained to run in groups, must carry cell phones, and are trained to call 911 first and immediately in any emergency situation. Our boys did a great job following protocol and getting Austin and Jacob stabilized and EMS there as fast as possible. Very proud of how our senior boys responded and took charge of the situation," Soles said.

The boys were identified as athletes who are part of the Great Oak High School/South Temecula Track Club cross-country program, which Soles coaches.

No other teens were hurt in the incident.

One of the boys' fathers posted images on his Instagram account of his child in a hospital bed.

"Fracture in the neck, fracture around his eye, fracture skull. Minor brain bleeding, broken nose, multiple broken bones in his arm," Jonathan Elkins posted about his son, Austin.

According to a Mile Split article, the other victim, Jacob Brown, suffered an arm injury that required surgery.

No arrests were immediately announced.