Driver Arrested After Car Crashes Into Grand Oaks Elementary Fence

Families arriving at Grand Oaks Elementary School in Citrus Heights on Wednesday morning found a large section of the school’s fence missing after a vehicle crashed into it the night before.

The single-vehicle collision happened shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, near the intersection of Rosswood Drive and Grand Oaks Boulevard. The vehicle struck the chain-link fence surrounding the elementary school.

Driver Was Not Injured

The driver was able to get out of the vehicle and was not reported injured.

Citrus Heights police responded to the scene and later arrested 33-year-old Summer Smith on suspicion of driving under the influence. Police told the Citrus Heights Sentinel that a blood test showed an alcohol level approximately three times the legal limit.

No students or pedestrians were reported injured in the crash.

School Fence Being Repaired

By Wednesday morning, caution tape had been placed across the damaged area where a section of fencing had been knocked down.

The fence was already being repaired following the collision.

Grand Oaks Elementary is located at 7901 Rosswood Drive in Citrus Heights and serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

A Reminder About Driving Safely Near Schools

Although the crash happened at night when students were not on campus, the incident occurred directly beside an elementary school in a residential neighborhood.

It serves as another reminder of the importance of cautious driving around schools and neighborhood streets, particularly in areas frequently used by children and families.