A Treasure Coast High School freshman is in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle while walking to school in Port St. Lucie
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
A 14-year-old Treasure Coast High School student is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while walking to school Wednesday morning, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
Police said the crash occurred around 6 a.m. near the intersection of Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southwest Squirrel Avenue. The student was walking northbound along Port St. Lucie Boulevard and was near the edge of the roadway in an area marked by construction barrels when he was struck from behind.
Investigators said the vehicle involved was a 2002 Ford Excursion driven by a 72-year-old man. According to police, the driver initially believed he had struck a construction barrel and did not realize he had hit a person. The driver later made a U-turn at the next safe location, returned to the scene, activated his hazard lights and found the teenager unconscious on the side of the roadway. He then called 911.
The driver has remained cooperative with investigators, and police said they have not observed any apparent signs of impairment. Authorities noted that the assessment is preliminary and could change as the investigation continues.
The student, identified only as a freshman at Treasure Coast High School, suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition, police said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash-camera, surveillance or other video footage from the area around the time of the incident is asked to contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department at 772-871-5000.
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