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Multiple students injured when car crashes into elementary school classroom in DeKalb County

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Several students were injured after a car crashed into an elementary school classroom at Ivy Prep Academy in DeKalb County on Monday morning.

DeKalb Fire and Rescue Department said four people were injured, including three children and the driver.

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A photo from the scene shows the car crashed through a brick wall and surrounded by crime scene tape.

Channel 2′s Michael Seiden spoke with head of the school Charcia Nichols, who said she heard screaming and saw children running around 10:30 a.m.

“The driver crashed into a classroom where 22 fifth-grade students were in the middle of a lesson,” Nichols said.

Nichols said she was able to talk to all three children who were taken to the hospital and that no one at the school knew the driver.

Fire officials have not released the extent of the children’s injuries or their ages, though school officials said their injuries are not considered life-threatening. It’s unclear what led up to the crash.

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Police have not released the name of the driver or said if that person is facing any charges. Seiden learned that the driver was trapped inside after the crash and was conscious with minor injuries.

Seiden is working to obtain surveillance video that captured the crash.

Parents were asked to pick children up from the school.

Seiden talked to one mom, Tanisha Walker, who raced to the school to pick her child up.

“I didn’t know what to think. The school didn’t answer so I just ran up here as fast as I could get here,” Walker said. “I was just kind of thinking about what parents go through during school shooter (incidents) and not being able to get in contact with their kid in an emergency. So it was pretty scary.”

School officials are now working with investigators while also supporting their students and staff.

“I’m not sure what would’ve been on (the driver’s) mind, but I do know he ran into a classroom with students, and that’s just something that’s uncalled for,” Nichols said.

Investigators are reviewing video to see if the driver will face charges.


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