FHP: Driver hit school, left vehicle

MILTON, Fla. (WALA) - Authorities are now looking for the driver of a vehicle they said ran a stop sign and hit the Bagdad Elementary School early Friday morning.

Principal Linda Gooch said when she got the call overnight saying her school had been hit, she rushed over to find the damage.

"I did not expect that when I went to bed last night, I'd get a call saying a car had hit the building," said Gooch.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 2005 Mercedes Kompressor was traveling north on Garcon Point Road around 12:25 a. m. when the driver ran the stop sign, and headed into the parking lot of the school.

Investigators said the car then became airborne, flew through shrubbery, and crashed into the front of the school.

Authorities said that's where the vehicle was left by the driver who is still unknown.

It was a jarring experience those people who work at Bagdad Elementary School.

The impact left a crater in the outside of the wall, as well as doing damage to the inside of the Second grade classroom.

Gooch said class continued today and students were moved until the wall can be rebuilt.

"They just went to a new classroom and are enjoying the day. They're like "Ok, this is neat. It happened to my classroom," Gooch said.

Gooch said she's just glad the incident wasn't any worse.

"I'm thankful no one was hurt. It's nothing that is going to close down the school so we're going on with our normal school day," said Gooch.

Officials said they don't believe there is any structural damage to the building.

They believe it will take around a month for rebuilding and repairs to be finished.