Driver's sneezing fit may have contributed to Hemet collision that injured 2 teens, police say

HEMET, Calif. (KABC) -- A sneezing fit behind the wheel may have contributed to a driver striking two teens at the side of a road in Hemet, officials said.

Investigators say a driver was heading north on State Street at around 35-40 mph when he began to sneeze repeatedly.

He apparently did not see two teens - one on a bicycle and one on foot - who were together on the side of the road moving in the opposite direction of vehicular traffic, Hemet police said.

The teens were walking/riding southbound along the right side of the northbound lane, police said.

The 2004 Hyundai struck the teens, injuring both, around 12:20 p.m. Monday on State Street near Domenigoni Parkway.

Both were transported to a local trauma center. The 16-year-old pedestrian was listed in critical condition and the 17-year-old bicyclist was in stable condition.

The driver sustained minor injuries and remained at the scene of the collision.

Police do not believe drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision.