Modesto, CA – On the morning of Thursday, September 17, 2026, a pedestrian collision near Eisenhut Elementary School left Maria Mendoza and three of her grandchildren hospitalized, according to KCRA.
The Modesto Police Department reports that the accident took place around 7:45 AM at the Janet and Sheldon Drives crosswalk near the elementary school.
Authorities said Mendoza was walking her four grandchildren to school when a black Toyota 4Runner struck the group. Mendoza became trapped beneath the vehicle until neighbors used a floor jack to lift it and free her.
Mendoza and three of her grandchildren, ages 5, 6, and 11, were rushed to two different hospitals. The 5-year-old sustained femur fractures in five places, and the 11-year-old sustained a shattered ankle and is awaiting surgery. A fourth grandchild, age 10, was not physically injured but was left traumatized by the incident. Mendoza sustained first- and third-degree burns and remains hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento awaiting surgery. The children have since returned home and are recovering.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Modesto police said no one has been charged or found at fault, and initial findings showed no speeding.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover mounting medical expenses and the cost of traveling to and staying in Sacramento to support Mendoza.
Modesto Pedestrian Accidents and Personal Injury Claims
California law imposes a heightened duty of care on drivers near schools and marked crosswalks, particularly during times when children are likely to be walking to and from campus. When a driver strikes multiple pedestrians in a school crosswalk, investigators with California law enforcement examine speed, visibility, and the driver’s attentiveness to determine what caused the crash, though police have indicated that no fault has yet been established and that speed does not appear to have been a factor.
Each grandchild and Mendoza herself may have a distinct claim reflecting their own specific harm, even though all were struck in the same collision. Those injured in this collision may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim, which can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Modesto Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident like the one described here, at the Janet and Sheldon Drives crosswalk, contact a California personal injury lawyer for any questions or to receive a no-cost, no-obligation case assessment.
