Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 3 Juniors at Kent Roosevelt Hurt in Rollover Crash on River Bend

Police believe speed may have been a factor in Thursday afternoon crash

Editor's note: this story was updated at 9:25 a.m.

Three junior girls at Theodore Roosevelt High School were injured Thursday afternoon when the car they were riding in .

All three were transported to Akron area hospitals after the Volkswagen they were riding in rolled over at 2:44 p.m. just east of the River Bend bridge Thursday.

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Kent Patch is witholding the names of the victims pending official confirmation.

One of the passengers was ejected during the crash and was taken by a Metro Life Flight medical helicopter to an Akron Hospital. The other two had to be cut free from the wreckage by firefighters using the Jaws of Life.

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A post on one of the girl's facebook pages indicated she had a broken shoulder, pelvis and fractures in her neck but she was "talking with her mom and in good spirits" Thursday evening, according to the post.

Kent City Schools Superintendent Joseph Giancola said he spent Thursday evening at the hospital and learned all three girls have a good prognosis for recovery from the crash.

"The entire school district is a bit relieved this morning," he said.

Giancola said their injuries included broken bones and bruises, but no life-threatening internal injuries or concussions.

Students at the high school wore green and white today in support of the girls, some of whom attended in Kent.

The helicopter landed and took off at the high school in front of a large crowd of students attending after-school activities. The other two victims were transported via ambulance.

The driver of the car apparently lost control and left the roadway while traveling westbound on River Bend Boulevard, according to Kent Police.

"Speed may have been a factor," Kent Police Lt. Paul Canfield said.

Witnesses and residents of the River Bend subdivision said another car may have been involved indirectly in the crash. One resident said the car was one of several she's seen repeatedly speeding through the neighborhood.

Kent Police Chief Michelle Lee told the Record-Courier that alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash.

Witnesses who saw the crash are asked to call the Kent Police Department at 330-673-7732.

The accident happened almost 13 months to the day that five seniors at the high school were injured in in March 2011. All five victims of that crash have since recovered.


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