GREENFIELD — A 22-year-old Greenfield man was arrested this week after police say he struck two elementary-aged students with his vehicle and left the scene while the children were walking to school in the 400 block of Hutchinson Drive.
According to the Greenfield Police Department, the collision occurred Monday morning, Dec. 8, when a vehicle driven by Alexis Rios hit the two students.
“One child had visible injuries; the other was struck but did not report injuries,” police said.
Rios and his passengers “briefly stopped and spoke with the children, but did not call 911 or notify a parent or guardian. They then left the scene.”
The children continued on to Arroyo Seco Academy, where staff immediately contacted law enforcement and medical personnel. Both students were transported to a local hospital, their parents were notified and they were later released with minor injuries.
Officers conducted a follow-up investigation, identified Rios as the driver and placed him under arrest, according to a news release Dec. 10. Investigators determined that collision factors included an obstructed windshield from fogging and failure to yield to pedestrians.
Rios was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury and additional related charges.
In a message to families, Greenfield Union School District Superintendent Laura Cortez commended the students and school staff for their quick actions.
“We commend our two students for walking the rest of the way to Arroyo Seco School and immediately reporting the incident to school personnel,” Cortez said. She added that both students “have since been released, and are now back in school. We are grateful that they only sustained minor injuries.”
Cortez praised school staff for responding immediately and reiterated the district’s focus on safety.
“The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we understand how concerning incidents like this can be,” she said, noting that the district is working with its Safe Schools initiative and reviewing pedestrian-safety presentations for students. Families are encouraged to “reinforce the message and remind children to use crosswalks, stay aware of their surroundings, and report anything unsafe to an adult.”
Police Issue Safety Reminders
Following the incident, Greenfield Police summarized several safety tips for families and drivers:
For parents and students:
- Stay alert near driveways, parked cars, and intersections.
- Use crosswalks and avoid distractions such as phones or wearing both earbuds.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Walk with younger children when possible.
For drivers:
- Slow down near schools, crosswalks, and residential areas.
- Expect children to act unpredictably and be prepared to stop.
- Morning conditions can change quickly due to fog, glare, or weather.
- Always clear fog, ice, or debris from all windows before driving.
If involved in a collision:
- Stop immediately and check for injuries.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt and wait for police and medical personnel.
- If no injuries are reported, exchange information at the scene.
Police and district officials encouraged the community to remain vigilant, especially during busy school commute hours.
