A car accident occurred on campus in the parking lot late Tuesday afternoon on January 28th, resulting in a head-on collision near the senior lot. Jayce Corley (12) and Luke Salazar (12) were involved in the crash but fortunately escaped without injuries. They both reflected on the moments leading up to the collision and what followed.
Salazar had been parked in a parallel space near the senior lot before starting his car to leave campus. As he made a left turn toward the lot’s entrance, he failed to check his blind spot thoroughly, leading to a collision with Corley’s vehicle approaching from the right. “I checked my blind spot but didn’t check it well; I just looked a few feet behind me, then I took a hard left and boom, he was right there,” Salazar said. As a result, his car was totaled, with the front left panel taking the initial impact and his axle snapping. “It’s important to be extra cautious when driving in parking lots because of how crowded they are,” he added.
Corley, the other driver involved, shared his reaction to the crash. “My head hit the steering wheel and my ribs,” Corley said. “I was in shock, so I got out and checked on the other person to make sure they were okay.” The incident unfolded in just a few seconds, but thankfully, both were able to exit their vehicles without serious injuries.
Fire trucks and police arrived within 15 minutes to assess the situation and ensure no one was hurt. However, the accident caused delays as school had just dismissed at 2 p.m., and students were heading to their cars. Emergency vehicles blocked part of the road, forcing students to navigate around them, which extended the time it took to leave campus.
About an hour later, tow trucks arrived to remove the damaged vehicles, marking the end of an eventful and unexpected afternoon for the school.
Now, both drivers face the challenge of finding new cars. Corley reflected on the damage to his vehicle, saying, “My car was damaged badly and is probably totaled and yeah, probably has to get a new one.” Unfortunately, that’s the reality he now has to deal with as he figures out his next steps. Salazar mentioned he’ll likely drive his sister’s old Honda for now, though he’ll need to regain his parents’ trust before they consider getting him another car over the break.
Administration declined to comment on the incident.
While events like this are rare at school, they are always a possibility. Hopefully, nothing like this happens again, but it serves as a reminder to always stay alert behind the wheel.