Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in Crash that Injured Area Children

Updated 3:29 p.m., Oct. 5

The identity of the driver arrested in connection with hitting two children Friday morning is that of Teresa Bales-Sterba, a 52-year-old woman from Orangevale.

According to a Citrus Heights Police Department press release, Bales-Sterba was found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 

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Bales-Sterba was subsequently booked and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail where she will be charged with felony driving under the influence.

At this time both directions of Greenback Lane between San Juan Avenue and Birdcage Street have been reopened.

According to the release, one of the children hit by Bales-Sterba's grey Chrysler 300 was later air-lifted to a separate hospital for specialized care.

The two children were accompanied by an adult at the time of the collision, according to the release. The relationship between the adult and the children has not been disclosed nor have the children's names and ages at the request of the family.

Police investigators determined that Bales-Sterba was traveling westbound on Greenback when she collided with a Chevrolet Suburban that was traveling southbound on Mariposa Ave., according to the release.

The collision between the two vehicles occurred in the intersection of Greenback Lane and Mariposa Avenue. As a result of the vehicle collision, Bales-Sterba lost control and subsequently struck both children while they were crossing the street.

Original story:

The driver connected with hitting two children near San Juan High School early Friday morning has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The children have been described by Citrus Heights Police Department as having sustained major injuries in the collision. The woman, who CHPD officials describe as being in her early 50s, remained at the scene of the accident which occurred the intersection of Greenback Lane and Mariposa Avenue.

According to police, the woman who struck the children was driving a grey sedan when she collided with a Chevrolet Suburban causing her to spin out and strike the two children.

According to a report published in The Sacramento Bee, the children are siblings in the first and third grade attending Skycrest Elementary School.

The woman was determined to be under the influence of substance impairing her ability to drive her vehicle, said CHPD spokesman Chad Morris. The substance has yet to be determined.

The children were transported to a nearby hospital where they remain in critical condition.

Traffic remains closed in both directions along Greenback Lane between San Juan Avenue and Birdcage Street. There is no estimated time yet when it will reopen.