Former Rancho Bernardo High runner Grabill injured in car accident
Molly Grabill, a former Rancho Bernardo High and current University of Oregon cross country and track star, was hospitalized Monday and released Wednesday, after suffering injuries in a car accident on Interstate 5, some 50 miles south of Eugene, Oregon State Police said.
Grabill (Poway), 20, and Chris Brewer (Vista), 19, were returning to Oregon after spending Thanksgiving in North County, when someone dropped a rock larger than a baseball from an overpass, smashing the window of the 1997 Subaru Legacy station wagon they were driving in, according to police.
According to DailyEmerald.com, Ducks’ cross country spokesman Greg Walker said Grabill had a broken jawbone and cuts to her face that required stitches. He said she will need some dental and orthodontic work but no surgery. She suffered no other broken bones or internal injury, Walked added.
The accident occurred about 10:40 p.m. Monday, according to police. The rock went through the windshield and struck Grabill, who was behind the wheel, in the face. Brewer, who also runs for the cross country and track teams, grabbed the wheel but could not control the car, which went off the road and overturned, police said.
Brewer, a 2010 Rancho Buena Vista graduate, was treated for minor injuries on Monday and then released.
Oregon State Police troopers have asked the public to help identify the person or persons responsible for throwing the rocks.
Robert Johnson, the University of Oregon head track and field coach, said in a statement: “Our team has rallied around Molly and Chris and I’m so proud to see them all being there for their teammates and doing whatever they can to help. We will continue to support Molly and Chris and we ask for of the TrackTown to pray for a speedy recovery.”
Oregon Director of Athletics, Rob Mullens, also released a statement: “I urge anyone with information on this incident to please come forward and contact the Oregon State Police so that no one else gets hurt.”