SEBASTIAN RAMIREZ/Acorn Newspapers MISHAP DIDN'T INVOLVE A STUDENT- Paramedics prepare to place an injured male on a gurney into an ambulance. Most people assumed he was a student/pedestrian who'd been hit by a car. The story, however, was quite different and slightly bizarre. A young man lying on the pavement near a car that had crashed next to Westlake High School led many people to the conclusion that a student had been struck by a car.

A 911 operator stayed busy as calls came flooding in with just that information- that a WHS student had been hit by a vehicle while he was crossing the street.

Sgt. Tom Bennett of the Thousand Oaks Police Department had a different version of the story.

A 23-year-old man suspected of being under the influence was in the high school's parking lot on Thurs., Jan. 24 at about 1:30 p.m. Students had left early due to the final exam schedule, Bennett said.

A campus supervisor approached the man's car to ask him why he was there, when he allegedly hit the gas. The car started to move, and the driver fell out onto the pavement, hitting his head. The 1999 Ford Explorer continued on and crashed to a stop.

The injured motorist was transported to Los Robles Hospital by ambulance. The incident is still being investigated. - Nancy Needham