RANDOLPH - Backpack-toting youngsters scurried for their lives yesterday morning when a sport utility vehicle careered out of control in front of the Elizabeth G. Lyons Elementary School in Randolph and ran over an 8-year-old girl standing near the school's front doors.
The second-grader, identified by school authorities as Brittany Noel, was struck about 8:42 a.m., just after most of the students had arrived for school, authorities said. She sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Boston Medical Center, police and school officials said.
"The last we heard is that she's in the pediatric intensive care unit and in stable condition," said Superintendent Richard Silverman. "It was an unfortunate accident."
Principal Leo A. Flanagan said many students witnessed the event, and some had to jump out of the way as the 2001
"They saw it," said Flanagan. "Counselors from all over the district have come here to help the kids process it. They'll be here [today], too."
Police identified the driver as William Geisler, 86, of Randolph, who had driven to the school to vote in the primary election.
Police said he was attempting to park when he lost control and suddenly veered off the circular driveway in front of the school, drove across the grassy lawn, hopped a sidewalk, and slammed into the front of the school building. Randolph police are investigating.
When students were dismissed from classes yesterday, yellow police tape was strung from trees in front of the school, fluttering in the breeze, as the dark green SUV remained at the crash site, its hood crumpled. Directly in front of the bumper, the gray concrete of the school's facade was chipped and cracked.
Geisler was taken to Milton Hospital and later released. Reached by phone yesterday afternoon, Geisler's wife, Ruth, said she was not in her husband's car at the time of the accident and declined to elaborate about the crash. She said her husband also declined to comment.
"He's not up for talking to anyone right now," she said. "We've called our insurance."
Ann Holleran, a social worker at the John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Randolph, was among 10 counselors called to the Lyons School to talk to students after the incident.
"Children who witnessed it were upset," she said. "They asked us questions like, 'Why do accidents happen?' We told them that there's no rhyme or reason to it; sometimes accidents just happen."
Stacey Kelsey of Randolph arrived at the Lyons School at 12:45 p.m. to pick up her cousin's son. She said parents know not to drive in the round driveway directly in front of the school. "When I heard that, it all fit," she said after learning details of the crash.
"It's devastating. It's sad all around."
Emily Sweeney can be reached at esweeney@globe.com.
