According to investigators, a 41-year-old mother lost control of her car and tried to made a corrective counter-steer into a parked car, but that did not stop her vehicle. Her 2005 Honda Accord continued on its path into the first grader and then into a water main.

"It was going too fast in the parking lot," Gainesville Police Sgt. Joseph Raulerson said. "Either there was a mechanical problem with the car or the accelerator was hit instead of the brake."

The investigation is on-going.

Fixing the broken water pipe is not the only problem that must be confronted after the accident however, school officials said classes are still scheduled for Friday and a team of counselors trained in elementary education will be at the school most of the day to discuss what happened with the children who saw their schoolmate get hurt and the children who miss their friend.

"We're a very close-knit family here at Talbot, so everybody is really somewhat affected," Talbot's Assistant Principal Beth Pearlman explained. "We just want to make sure that we know what to look for in case people are upset or someone is in need of talking to someone."

Alachua County Fire Rescue personnel transported the girl to U.F. Shands. According to witnesses, she was responsive and alert as paramedics moved her into the ambulance. As of Thursday evening, the victim's condition was reported to be critical but stable.

After a day of class pictures and a book fair, Pearlman said the administrations main focus is on the health of the girl and the emotional welfare of the other students.

"This is not the ending to any day that you would ever want," she said.

By Ted Latiak, WCJB TV20 News.