At least five students were transported to the hospital after the driver of a pickup truck ran a red light and hit the group of students as they walked in a crosswalk near their California school.  The incident took place shortly after school dismissal according to public safety officials.

This type of incident demonstrates just how fast a major crisis event can occur and how school officials must be prepared to address mass casualty events whether they are caused by an active shooter, a tornado or a traffic accident.  Many schools today still lack written mental health recovery plans to address this type of incident and a proper incorporation of the National Incident Management System into their organization to help them manage the crisis when it takes place.

This tragic incident is typical of the many school crisis situations that occur each day in American schools that do not involve acts of violence or other types of incidents people most commonly associate with school safety, security and emergency preparedness.