SANGER – One teenager died and another sustained serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle Tuesday evening.
The Sanger Police Department said two Sanger High School students, both 17, were hit by a vehicle while crossing the street at Bethel Avenue and Almond Avenue around 7:21 p.m. on Feb. 25. Both students were taken to the hospital, where one — identified as Hubert Hsu by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office — died from his injuries. The other student, a teen girl, sustained significant injuries but is stable and expected to be OK, Sanger PD said.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and all who are grieving,” Sanger Unified School District (SUSD) said in a statement on Feb. 26. “Sanger Unified is a strong and compassionate community, and we will stand together to support one another.”
SUSD has mobilized its crisis response teams to support those affected by the tragedy, the statement said. Counseling services are available at both Sanger High School and Sanger West High School, as well as other district sites as needed.
The district also designated counseling spaces on each campus for those in need of additional emotional support and held meetings with school staff to provide guidance on how to best support students.
Sanger PD said the students were hit while in an uncontrolled crosswalk, meaning it has no stop sign or signal. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation.
Sanger Acting Police Chief and Cmdr. Jason Boust said the accident serves as an important reminder of pedestrian and driver safety.
Boust said the “old adage to look both ways before you cross the street” is still in play today. Even when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, it does not mean that a driver will be able to see them; just as drivers should ensure they do not hit pedestrians, pedestrians have a legal obligation to ensure they are safely crossing the street.
For drivers, Boust said they must remain vigilant, especially at night. Drivers should stay off their phones and always be scanning the area around them, particularly when approaching a crosswalk or intersection.
