Several Injured In Crash Outside Long Island Schools; 1 Arrested

GLEN HEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A horrible car accident near a Nassau County school on Friday put four people in the hospital, including a popular teacher who was struck while crossing the street.

By the looks of the two demolished cars, it was a devastating head-on crash, CBS 2's John Slattery reported.

Police said a dark Lexus went into the oncoming lane, hitting a white Volkswagen carrying a couple in their mid-60s.

"They said it was head-on collision. I'm sorry for the people involved. Looks really bad," parent Randy Ross said.

The wreck happened at around 10 a.m. on Glen Cove Avenue. However, before the collision, police said the driver of the Lexus, a 28-year-old man, struck a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk between two schools -- North Shore Middle and North Shore High.

Parents and students identified the pedestrian as a Latin teacher, Christopher Whalley.

"[He suffered] a compound fracture to the leg," parent Karen Zaffiro said.

After striking the teacher, the car, in a 25 mph zone, went into the oncoming lane, police said.

"At that point, he struck the male pedestrian crossing the street; he veered into southbound [lane], hit the Volkswagen with the husband and wife. There were serious injuries to all involved," Nassau County Police Det. Michael Bitsko said.

The hospitalized driver of the Lexus was arrested and charges are pending, CBS 2 later learned. As for the injured teacher, students sang his praises.

"He's a great person, great teacher. Students really like him around here," Oscar Cisternas said.

"He's a really nice guy," Willis Phelan added.

Police said an investigation will try to determine the speed of the car that hit the pedestrian.

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