December 11, 2025
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DUI suspect hits eight Anaheim track runners

Anaheim police say 27-year-old Anthony Alva-Palafox was arrested on suspicion of DUI after allegedly striking eight Anaheim High School track athletes with his sedan just before 3 p.m. Wednesday while they waited at a red light during practice. Seven teens, ages 16–17, were hospitalized and are expected to survive; the driver also suffered injuries, the vehicle was impounded, and a search warrant is underway as the school organizes crisis support for students.

Crime and Public Safety School Athletics

📌 Key Facts

  • Suspect: Anthony Alva-Palafox, 27, of Anaheim; booked on DUI causing injury (alcohol and drugs suspected)
  • Incident time/place: just before 3 p.m. Wednesday in Anaheim while runners waited at a red light
  • Victims: eight student-athletes struck; seven hospitalized; all expected to survive; coach accompanied them
  • APD says driver showed 'objective signs of intoxication'; sedan impounded; search warrant in progress
  • Anaheim High School to host crisis response meeting; families notified

📊 Relevant Data

In 2020, Hispanic drivers accounted for 53.6% of DUI arrestees in California, while Hispanics make up approximately 39% of the state's population, indicating a per capita overrepresentation.

DUI Statistics | Irvine DUI Lawyer — criminaldefensestrikeforce.com

Latino and Hispanic men were up to 66% more likely to be convicted of a DUI than White men in California, based on a UC Davis study.

Understanding DUI Statistics by Race/Ethnicity — spartacuslawfirm.com

Anaheim, California, has a population that is approximately 53.11% White (including Hispanic White), with Hispanics or Latinos comprising a significant portion, around 54% based on ethnic breakdowns.

Anaheim, CA Population - 2023 Stats & Trends — neilsberg.com

Self-reported rates of DUI were highest among White men (22%), Native American/Native Alaskan men (20.8%), and men of Mixed race (22.5%) in the United States.

Driving under the influence (DUI) among U.S. ethnic groups — sciencedirect.com

Differences in impaired-driving rates among racial/ethnic groups are related to variations in how members of different groups perceive the risk of being arrested for impaired driving.

Special Report on Race/Ethnicity and Impaired Driving — nhtsa.gov