A 79-year-old man drove a 2003 Honda CR-V into a Pine Hills daycare Thursday afternoon, injuring three children and two adults, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash happened before 3 p.m. when the vehicle, heading south on Pine Hills Road near Illinois Drive, ran off the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation. It crossed the median and the northbound lanes before striking the building.
Three children, ages 3 and 4, along with two adults, were hospitalized. The driver was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. As of Thursday evening, the extent of the injuries had not been released.
The crash raises familiar questions for families across the region: how protected are daycare buildings that sit near busy roads, and how often do vehicles leave the roadway and strike structures? While the investigation continues, the immediate focus is on the five people recovering and the staff and families processing a frightening afternoon.
Do you feel confident in the safety protections at your child’s daycare or school? Let us know in the comments.
