A South Fork High School senior was killed in a car accident outside the campus Thursday morning, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office said they received a call around 8:30 a.m. about a fatal crash near the school entrance. When deputies arrived, they confirmed the victim was Christopher Brooks, a senior on his way to graduation practice. Friends and family at the sceneBrooks was traveling northbound on SW Pratt Whitney Road when he failed to slow down for stopped traffic, rear-ended a dump truck, and died on impact, authorities said. The sheriff said Brooks’ grandparents were notified and were present at the scene, along with his friends. “Unfortunately, one of the first people on scene that didn’t quite see the crash but saw the smoke from the crash was one of his friends, and so they ran up and saw what no one should see,” the sheriff said. The mother of the friend the sheriff is referring to is identified as Brody Baker. Brody’s mom told reporter Rachel Williams on the phone that both her son and Christopher were running late to graduation practice, and Christopher was scheduled to arrive before Brody, and that’s when he saw the crash. Lifelong Martin County studentThe sheriff described the day as heartbreaking for students and staff at South Fork High School. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. School district leaders tell us Brooks had been enrolled in the district from kindergarten through his senior year and participated on the bowling team. He went to Hobe Sound Elementary School and Murray Middle School. “That makes the loss all the more tragic for us and it just hits us in so many areas. he was involved in sports at the school. He was involved in the veterinary program and it’s just a heartbreaking situation,” said Jennifer Deshazo, chief of staff, Martin County School District.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. —
A South Fork High School senior was killed in a car accident outside the campus Thursday morning, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said they received a call around 8:30 a.m. about a fatal crash near the school entrance. When deputies arrived, they confirmed the victim was Christopher Brooks, a senior on his way to graduation practice.
Friends and family at the scene
Brooks was traveling northbound on SW Pratt Whitney Road when he failed to slow down for stopped traffic, rear-ended a dump truck, and died on impact, authorities said.
The sheriff said Brooks’ grandparents were notified and were present at the scene, along with his friends.
“Unfortunately, one of the first people on scene that didn’t quite see the crash but saw the smoke from the crash was one of his friends, and so they ran up and saw what no one should see,” the sheriff said.
The mother of the friend the sheriff is referring to is identified as Brody Baker. Brody’s mom told reporter Rachel Williams on the phone that both her son and Christopher were running late to graduation practice, and Christopher was scheduled to arrive before Brody, and that’s when he saw the crash.
Lifelong Martin County student
The sheriff described the day as heartbreaking for students and staff at South Fork High School.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
School district leaders tell us Brooks had been enrolled in the district from kindergarten through his senior year and participated on the bowling team. He went to Hobe Sound Elementary School and Murray Middle School.
“That makes the loss all the more tragic for us and it just hits us in so many areas. he was involved in sports at the school. He was involved in the veterinary program and it’s just a heartbreaking situation,” said Jennifer Deshazo, chief of staff, Martin County School District.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.