Puppy Distracts Driver; Woman Struck By Car In Lakeland Village

UPDATED at 9:20 a.m.: The woman who struck a pedestrian in Lakeland Village Monday morning was distracted by a puppy in her car, a California Highway Patrol officer has confirmed.

The driver was traveling northbound on Grand Avenue in a maroon Ford Taurus when she got distracted by the pet, CHP Officer Whited explained. The puppy got under the gas or brake pedal; the driver's attention was diverted and she inadvertently swerved onto the right shoulder where the adult female pedestrian was, Whited continued.

The incident occurred around 8 a.m. near the street address of 18320 Grand Avenue.

The woman who was struck was clad in pajamas. Whited described her injuries as "not serious." She was transported to a nearby hospital.

Weekday mornings are typically busy along Grand Avenue, as children -- often accompanied by their parents -- walk to nearby schools.

No other victims were involved in Monday's mishap.

Whited said there is no law requiring pets to be restrained in vehicles, however he said animals cannot be interacting with the driver.

"They [pets] should be restrained," he said, noting that today's incident was a case of distracted driving.

Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected in today's crash. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.