Truck Strikes And Kills Mother And Injures Child, 6, Outside LA School

LOS ANGELES, CA — A six-year-old first-grader was in critical condition and her mother was killed after being struck by a pickup truck while walking near Hancock Park Elementary School in the mid-Wilshire area Tuesday morning, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The crash happened right around the morning school bell at 8 a.m. near Fairfax and Colgate avenues, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. After plowing into the pair, the truck slammed into a two-story apartment building and came to a stop, authorities said.

"The adult female was sadly found to be deceased on scene. The young girl was transported in critical condition," said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange. "The driver (approximately 30-year-old male) was transported in fair condition."

It wasn't immediately clear what led to the crash. Authorities were investigating the cause as well as the extent of the damage.

"Speed of the truck, possible intoxication and motive are all elements of this ongoing investigation into this tragedy," Los Angeles police said in a statement.

Police said they were interviewing witnesses and searching for any possible video that may have captured the crash.

Broadcast reports from the scene showed significant damage to the truck with it's front-end shorn off and a light pole on the ground in front of it. The truck had jumped the curb at a curve in the road and came to rest several yards into the lawn of the apartment complex.

Police said the young girl who was struck is a first-grade student at Hancock Park Elementary. Authorities did not publicly identify the victims.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho issued a statement lamenting the fatal crash.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was involved in or witnessed the horrific traffic accident near Hancock Park Elementary School this morning," he said. "We send our sincerest condolences to the entire school community and have mental health counselors available on site for students and employees."

LAUSD Board of Education member Nick Melvoin added in a statement, "Our hearts are broken over the death of a Hancock Park Elementary parent in a brazen traffic accident this morning -- and our prayers are with her daughter who remains in the hospital. We are sending support to the school and will continue to ensure mental health and counseling services are available to anyone in need."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.