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Titan Runner Training in Brea Is Struck by Car

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A Cal State Fullerton cross-country runner was hit by a car Tuesday morning in Brea while training for Saturday’s NCAA regional cross-country meet in Fresno.

Jenifer Martin, an 18-year-old freshman from Corona, was listed in fair condition at UC Irvine Medical Center after suffering a skull fracture, concussion and bruises in the accident, a medical center spokeswoman said.

“She evidently doesn’t have any broken bones,” Titan Coach John Elders said. “She does have a small blood clot they’re watching to make sure it doesn’t get bigger. Unless it does, it appears she won’t need surgery.”

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Elders said Martin and other members of the women’s team were running in the bicycle lane on Birch Avenue, near the Birch Hills Golf Course, when the accident occurred.

A spokesman for the Brea police department said the driver will be ticketed for changing lanes without proper precaution, and the runner would be cited for running in a bicycle lane when a sidewalk was available.

“It’s a route we run frequently,” Elders said. “We’ll have to look at where we run in the future based on this.”

Elders said Martin will be replaced by Lena Varela for Saturday’s meet. Martin was fifth among Titan runners in the Big West Conference meet two weeks ago, and 54th overall.

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