Teen Injured in Ceres School Parking Lot Incident

Ceres Teen Suffers Major Injuries in Hidahl Elementary School Parking Lot Incident

On Saturday afternoon, December 28, 2025, a serious single-vehicle incident in the parking lot of Hidahl Elementary School in Ceres left a 16-year-old boy with major injuries. According to preliminary reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the teen was seated on the lowered tailgate of a 1999 GMC pickup when the driver—also a 16-year-old—accelerated, causing the passenger to fall to the asphalt. The injured teenager was transported to Doctors Medical Center for treatment. The driver was not hurt. Early indications suggest alcohol and drugs were not factors, and the investigation remains ongoing.

This incident underscores the risks associated with riding on exterior parts of a vehicle and highlights several important legal and insurance considerations for families after a crash involving minors. Below, Avian Law Group explains what is known so far, why these events occur, the legal landscape in California, and what steps injured victims and their families can take to protect their rights.


What We Know About the Incident

- Location: Hidahl Elementary School parking lot in Ceres, California
- Vehicles/Parties: 1999 GMC pickup; two 16-year-old boys involved
- Injuries: Passenger sustained major injuries after falling from a lowered tailgate
- Initial Findings: No evidence of alcohol or drug involvement at this stage
- Status: Investigation active, including review of vehicle operation and passenger positioning

Even though this occurred in a school parking lot rather than a public roadway, key traffic safety rules still apply. Parking lots often contain pedestrians, tight turns, and limited sightlines—making sudden acceleration particularly dangerous. The combination of a lowered tailgate and movement of the truck dramatically increases the risk of ejection and serious trauma.


Vehicle Safety Rules That May Apply

California law prohibits unsafe passenger placement and riding on parts of a vehicle not designed for seating. Two Vehicle Code provisions are commonly implicated in similar situations:

- Riding on non-designated parts of a vehicle: California law generally bars drivers from allowing, and passengers from riding on, vehicle parts not intended for passengers (such as tailgates, fenders, and running boards).
- Riding in the bed of a pickup: California places strict limits on riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck on public ways, with limited exceptions. Even in parking lots, the risks of a fall or ejection are high.

These rules exist to prevent exactly the kind of fall that reportedly occurred here. While the CHP investigation will determine specific violations and contributing factors, the legal duty to ensure passengers are properly seated and secured is clear.

This painful incident at Hidahl Elementary School has left a young teen facing serious injuries and a family navigating an overwhelming recovery process. Accidents involving minors—even at low speeds and in familiar places like parking lots—can have life-altering consequences.

At Avian Law Group, our thoughts are with the injured teen and his family. When a child is seriously hurt due to unsafe vehicle operation or passenger placement, families may have legal options to seek compensation for medical care, rehabilitation, and long-term needs. Our team is here to provide compassionate guidance, protect your child’s rights, and help you move forward. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.