Published: August 11, 2026
By: Yaghmai Law Firm, APC
(Glendale, CA) – Eight young children were hospitalized Friday afternoon after a vehicle drove into a Glendale preschool while classes were in session, according to Glendale Police.
The children who were taken to a hospital ranged in age from four to five years old, police said. Officials reported that their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The crash happened around 2 p.m. at the Grandview House preschool, where a car came through a wall and entered a classroom occupied by children, according to accounts from the scene. A neighbor who lives next to the preschool described hearing a teacher screaming and said he later helped free two children pinned beneath fallen debris.
Glendale Police said they believe a 79-year-old woman was attempting a U-turn in the parking lot and mixed up the gas and brake pedals, causing the car to accelerate into the building.
Know Your Rights After a Crash
After a serious crash, California law gives injured people and families limited time to act. Evidence like vehicle data, camera footage, and witness memories fades quickly. A free, no-obligation case review can help you understand your options. Call or text (888) 800-6731, or start a free case review online. Asistencia en español disponible.
Analysis of the Glendale Preschool Collision
This account is based on early information from Glendale Police, and no findings about fault have been established. The material below is a general explanation of the legal framework that can apply when a vehicle strikes people on private property, not a conclusion about this incident.
In California, every person is expected to use ordinary care to avoid injuring others, a duty codified in Civil Code section 1714(a). When a driver is maneuvering in a parking lot near a building or people, investigators typically examine whether the vehicle was operated with reasonable care under the circumstances. The Basic Speed Law, Vehicle Code section 22350, requires drivers to travel no faster than is reasonable and prudent given the conditions, and rules governing U-turns under Vehicle Code section 21801 require yielding until the turn can be completed safely. If evidence were to show a violation of a safety statute that proximately caused injuries of the kind the statute guards against, Evidence Code section 669 allows a presumption of negligence to be considered.
Where injuries result, Civil Code section 3333 sets the measure of recoverable damages as the amount needed to compensate for all detriment proximately caused, and Civil Code section 1431.2 governs how non-economic damages are apportioned among those found at fault. Because the injured here are children, any claims involving minors may be affected by the tolling rules in Code of Civil Procedure section 352, while adult claims generally follow the two-year deadline in Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1. These are general principles only; how they might apply depends entirely on facts still being gathered by investigators.
What Families Can Do
Parents of children who were in or near the classroom should obtain a copy of the police collision report, keep records of every medical evaluation and follow-up visit even when initial injuries appear minor, and preserve photographs and the names of witnesses at the scene. Drivers involved in an injury crash have their own reporting obligations, including a written report within 24 hours under Vehicle Code section 20008 and a DMV report under Vehicle Code section 16000. Deadlines for legal claims can be short and vary, especially where minors or public entities may be involved, so families with questions about their options should speak with a qualified attorney promptly. Were you, or someone you love, involved in this crash? A Glendale Car Accident Lawyer at Yaghmai Law Firm can explain your options and deal with the insurance companies for you. Call or text (888) 800-6731 or request a free case review.
About the Author
Houtan Yaghmai, Esq., President & Managing Attorney of Yaghmai Law Firm, APC. California State Bar No. 298487. Speaks English, French, and Persian. The firm represents personal injury clients throughout Southern California – consultations by phone, text, or video, no office visits required.
This post was assembled with AI assistance from publicly reported news sources cited below. All California Vehicle Code references were verified against leginfo.legislature.ca.gov. Facts were re-checked via additional web searches before publication. This post is based on initial news reports and may be updated as new facts develop. Nothing in this article is legal advice. Yaghmai Law Firm, APC is not associated with the investigating agencies and does not represent any party named in this post unless explicitly stated.
Sources:
1. RSS_KYMA – Eight children hospitalized after a car crashes into preschool: https://kyma.com/news/california-news/2026/08/09/eight-children-hospitalized-after-a-car-crashes-into-preschool/
