Vehicle Jumps Curb, Injures 9 Students at Iowa School Pickup

Incident outside St. Luke's Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa appears unintentional, say authorities.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 5:33pm

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A vehicle left the pickup line, jumped a curb, and struck 9 students outside St. Luke's Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa on Tuesday afternoon as children were being dismissed. The injured students were taken to local hospitals, with some reported to have serious injuries. The unidentified driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, who say the incident does not appear to have been deliberate.

Why it matters

School pickup and drop-off times can be chaotic, and incidents like this highlight the importance of safety protocols and vigilance to protect students. This event will likely prompt reviews of traffic management and safety procedures at the school to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The details

The crash happened around 3:15pm on Tuesday outside St. Luke's Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa, about 10 miles north of Des Moines, as children were being dismissed. The vehicle left the pickup line, jumped a curb, and struck 9 students. Officials did not release the ages of the victims, but the school serves kindergarten through 8th grade. The unidentified driver was uninjured and is cooperating with the investigation.

  • The incident occurred around 3:15pm on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.

The players

St. Luke's Catholic School

A Catholic school in Ankeny, Iowa that serves kindergarten through 8th grade and has an enrollment of 400 students.

Ankeny Police and Fire Departments

The local law enforcement and emergency response agencies that responded to the incident and are investigating the cause.

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What they’re saying

“Your care for one another is a true reflection of the St. Luke's community.”

— School Officials

What’s next

Authorities are still working to determine the exact cause of the vehicle leaving the roadway. The school and local officials will likely review safety protocols and procedures for school pickup and drop-off to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This accident serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures during busy school pickup and drop-off times to protect students. The quick response and care from parents, teachers, and first responders likely prevented more serious injuries.