Mini-van strikes pole, sending 4 to YRMC

Two of four children injured in a Wednesday morning car accident were flown to Phoenix for treatment of serious injuries, while two others were being treated at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Yuma police said.

The children were injured when a southbound minivan driven by Carlos Robles, 27, crossed over into northbound lanes of 4th Avenue and struck a light pole in the 1200 block shortly after 8 a.m., Yuma police said.

After striking the pole, the van hit a fence encircling Sergio's House of Carpets at 1245 S. 4th Ave. The impact knocked the pole down onto the sidewalk.

The four children, whose names were not available, were all under the age of 5, according to police.

"Whether child safety restraints were in use at the time is still under investigation," said Clint Norred, police spokesman.

All four were first taken to YRMC, and two eventually were transferred to a Phoenix-area hospital, police said.

Robles sustained minor injuries and was transported YRMC, police said.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and police want speak with anyone who may have witnessed it. They are asked to call accident investigator Randy Thompson at 783-4421.

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James Gilbert can be reached at

jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.