Girl Struck, Injured by Police Cruiser After HS Football Game

Police: 15-year-old conscious and talking at hospital

A teenage girl remained hospitalized the morning after being hit by a police cruiser when Montgomery County officers responded to a large fight at Watkins Mill High School in Gaithersburg.

According to reports, the Friday night fight involved approximately 30 people.

The school was hosting a home football game against Clarksburg High School. Scott Murphy, the principal of Watkins Mill, released a statement Friday evening:

Dear Watkins Mill Community,

I am writing to inform you of a serious pedestrian accident that occurred after the football game at Watkins Mill on Friday night.  As game spectators were walking down Apple Ridge Road to go home after the game, a 10th grade female student was struck by a police vehicle that was travelling on Apple Ridge Road. Medical personnel, as well as school officials, immediately responded to the scene. The student was transported to a nearby hospital and is in serious condition.

I would like to thank the police, fire/rescue, students, parents, staff, and community members for your swift and supportive response to this unfortunate accident. I know you join me in keeping this student and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Please be assured that the police will continue to investigate the facts surrounding this incident, and additional staff will be on hand first thing Monday morning to support students as needed.

I will keep you updated as we learn more throughout the weekend.

Authorities identified the student as 15-year-old Janaya Richards, a sophomore at Watkins Mill.

Montgomery County Police issued a statement late Friday night which said that Richards was conscious and speaking to medical personnel at a local hospital. On Saturday morning, Murphy told News4's Derrick Ward that Richards' condition had been upgraded to stable. However, Montgomery County police said later Saturday morning that her condition was still critical.

According to the police statement, Richards was struck by the second of two cruisers that were turning onto Apple Ridge Road.

The officer who was at the wheel of the cruiser has been placed on routine administrative leave while an investigation into the accident continues.

Stay with News4 and NBCWashington as this story develops.

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