Riverdale Park, Prince George's County: In a devastating incident that has left the community in shock, two children were struck and killed by a vehicle near Riverdale Elementary School on Monday morning. The incident occurred at the intersection of Riverdale and Taylor roads, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

Officials from the Riverdale Park Police were alerted to the collision at approximately 8 a.m. A brief statement released on X, formerly Twitter, confirmed that the collision involved two children who were walking to school. The school, located just four miles northeast of the Maryland-D.C. border, was immediately impacted by the tragic event.

Prince George's County police have since taken over the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Deputy Chief Alan Doubleday of the county fire department revealed that emergency crews arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. and immediately transported the two children to a nearby hospital. However, their injuries were so severe that they were classified as being in "very critical" condition. Though their precise ages were not specified, Doubleday estimated that the children were approximately 8 years old.

The driver of the vehicle involved in the collision remained at the scene after the crash, cooperating with the authorities. The identity of the driver has not been released, and it is unclear whether charges will be filed.

Riverdale Elementary School, still in shock from the tragic incident, attempted to keep parents informed through a note from Assistant Principal Melissa Moore. The note conveyed that the crash had occurred during morning arrival time, but no further details were provided. Moore did not confirm whether the victims were students at the school, leaving the community anxiously awaiting further updates.

In light of the heartbreaking incident, parents were given the option to pick up their children early on Monday. Many parents opted for this, leading to a stream of emotional reunions between parents and their children outside the school. Gripping their children's hands tightly, parents walked them away from the school premises along the black gates that overlook the playground.

As parents grappled with the tragedy, concerns were raised regarding the safety measures in place at the intersection where the incident occurred. Joslin Evans, one of the parents dropping off her children at Riverdale Elementary School, expressed her grief and shared her observation that she had not seen crossing guards at the intersection in the morning. It is unclear whether crossing guards were on duty at the time of the incident.

Candice Hebron, another parent, described dropping off her third-grader at the school just minutes before the collision. Hebron noted that the absence of a crossing guard would occasionally be supplemented by police officers helping students cross the street. She urged drivers to exercise caution and patience when passing through the area, expecting delays due to increased traffic and heightened vigilance.

The tragic incident prompted Maryland state Delegate Ashanti Martinez to address the need for safer streets and control of roadways. Martinez voiced his deep sadness regarding the tragedy and emphasized that walking in the community should not put individuals at risk of losing their lives. Calls for improved safety measures and heightened awareness were echoed by many in the community.

The fatalities near Riverdale Elementary School coincide with another horrific incident in Fairfax County, where six teenagers suffered life-threatening injuries in a separate collision. The driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control of the SUV and crashed into a tree. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible and sober driving.

As the community mourns the loss of two young lives, authorities continue their investigation to determine the exact cause of the tragic incident. The focus remains on ensuring the safety of pedestrians, especially children, as they navigate the roadways near schools.

Note: The news article has been generated using the information provided and contains no additional details beyond what was mentioned. Updates on the investigation and any further developments will be reported as they are made available by the authorities.