Car crashes into Elizabeth HS auditorium, injuring student
Elizabeth police say the crash happened just after 8 a.m. when a vehicle slammed into the Dwyer Auditorium.
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A car crashed into the high school building in Elizabeth on the first day back from winter break Monday morning, injuring one student.
Elizabeth police say the crash happened just after 8 a.m. when a vehicle slammed into the Dwyer Auditorium. Police said the driver had been seen driving erratically along Bridge Street before running a red light at Pearl Street. The vehicle then jumped the curb and crossed the sidewalk before hitting the building.
One student was taken to the hospital with a minor leg injury, police said. School district officials said only the student and a teacher were inside the auditorium at the time of the crash. They say the student was first looked at by the school nurse before being taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Crews remained on scene into the afternoon, clearing debris and assessing damage. The district said the auditorium sustained significant damage, but the school was deemed structurally sound. Classes continued as scheduled.
“I was like, ‘What happened?’ Then I heard the announcement,” said student Moises Mersedes. “They said no more students going to the auditorium, and that’s all I heard after that.”
Students described a flood of posts as news of the crash spread quickly on social media.
“Shocked, I guess everyone’s in shock because they didn’t think that would happen," said another student, Brian Willis. “First day back to school after a week. It’s a lot.”
Police said the driver of the vehicle also suffered minor injuries.
