Street View of the crosswalk at Janet Drive and Sheldon Drive near Eisenhut Elementary School in Modesto, where a woman and three children were struck by a car. Source: Google Maps.
KEY DETAILS
DATE & TIME
Thursday, September 17, 2026, around 7:45 a.m.
LOCATION
Janet Drive and Sheldon Drive, Modesto, CA
VICTIM
A woman and three children were hospitalized; two children were flown by air ambulance to a specialty hospital and the woman and the third child were taken to a local hospital, all reported in stable condition
ROAD CLOSURES
Modesto police asked families to avoid Sheldon Drive near the school while officers investigated
INVESTIGATION
The Modesto Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating and asking the public for video of the crash; no fault has been determined
Three children and a woman were hospitalized Thursday morning after being struck by a car in a marked crosswalk near Eisenhut Elementary School in Modesto, California. The crash happened around 7:45 a.m. at the intersection of Janet and Sheldon drives as the group was walking to school. The impact left the woman trapped beneath the vehicle until a nearby resident used a floor jack to lift the car and free her. Two of the children were flown by air ambulance to a specialty hospital, while the woman and the third child were taken to a local hospital; all four are reported to be in stable condition.
According to CBS Sacramento, the driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, and a preliminary review of video shows the vehicle was not traveling at an excessive speed. Modesto police said fault in the crash has not yet been determined and asked the public for any video footage of the collision. The outlet reported that officers increased patrols around the school and asked families to avoid Sheldon Drive while the Traffic Unit’s investigation continues. Eisenhut Elementary was not placed on lockdown, and district officials said counselors were made available to support students and staff.
X
FOX40 Sacramento
@FOX40 · Sep 17, 2026
3 children, 1 woman hospitalized after being hit by car near elementary school in Modesto
California Vehicle Code Section 21950 gives pedestrians the right of way when crossing at a marked crosswalk, such as the one at Janet and Sheldon drives, and requires drivers to exercise due care for their safety. A driver who strikes a pedestrian lawfully using a crosswalk can be found civilly liable for the resulting injuries even before any criminal citation is issued. Investigators reviewing video of this crash will look closely at whether the driver yielded as the law requires.
California Vehicle Code Section 22352 lowers the prima facie speed limit to 25 miles per hour near schools when children are present, recognizing the added danger drivers pose in these areas. Speed near a school crosswalk like the one outside Eisenhut Elementary is a key factor investigators examine after a crash involving students. Even where video shows a driver was not speeding, as preliminary reports suggest here, drivers still owe pedestrians a heightened duty of care in school zones.
This summary is general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts.
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