BY KEVIN PEARSON
STAFF WRITER [email protected] Helen Richardson, the most seriously injured student in a crash outside Hemet High School this spring, was released from a rehabilitation center Friday, July 6. Helen has been undergoing daily speech, occupational and physical therapy at the center in Los Angeles County since June 13, as she recovers from a serious brain injury. Helen, now 16, was among eight students hit in a crosswalk outside Hemet High just after school let out May 30. Several of the students were in serious or critical condition, but all except Helen were released within a week of the crash. The students were struck by a truck driven by classmate Daniel Carrillo, 18. CHP officials said Carrillo was going in excess of 50 mph and ran a red light as he drove through the crosswalk. California Highway Patrol investigators submitted paperwork to the Riverside County district attorney's office this week seekingcharges against Carrillo, but the documents were returned with questions, CHP spokesman Ed Mendez said. Officials were meeting to discuss what charges to file. In the crash, Helen suffered a diffuse axonal brain injury, her doctors said. She was in a coma for more than a week. She is currently walking and talking and, during an interview Thursday at the rehab center, said she was looking forward to going home, where she will continue her rehab. Contributing to this report: Staff writer Darrell R. Santschi, dsant [email protected]