By Mary Beth Almond
C & G Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — Four preschool students were sent to the hospital for minor injuries March 9 after their teacher reversed her SUV through a glass wall into her own classroom.

Franklin Police Chief Patrick Browne said police received a call from the Huda School and Montessori on Franklin Road at 8:45 a.m. reporting that a white Jeep Cherokee had crashed through a classroom wall on the northwest portion of the school, causing injuries.

At the time of the incident, another teacher was monitoring the 17 students, ages 3 and 4, who were enjoying a snack.

Browne said six students were injured — two were treated at the scene, and four were transported to the hospital for cuts and bruises.

“None of the injuries were life threatening — most were lacerations, or contusion-type injuries — and there was one potential broken nose. We’re very fortunate,” Browne said.

Bookcases and shelves along the window helped prevent serious injuries.

The teacher, who was reportedly shaken up after the incident, was sent home for the day.

At noon, Browne said, Franklin police had concluded their investigation, and removed the vehicle from the school and transported it to a tow yard.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the schoolteacher, who was in the process of moving her vehicle to a designated parking space, accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake.

“When she was in the process of backing up, she potentially hit the accelerator in error, as opposed to the brake. That’s all just preliminary right now,” Browne said.

Police do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved.

Browne said the school did a very good job putting into place the procedures they have, as far as attending to the injured students.

“The school had already put into place some of their procedures, and the injured students had already been taken to the principal’s office, which is in very close proximity to the classroom,” Browne said.

A doctor who was attending a parent meeting at the school at the time of the crash also assisted school staff with the injured students.

Parents of the preschoolers were notified and asked to pick up their children. Parents of those in other classes were reportedly given the option of picking up their children before dismissal.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at malmond@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1060.