PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — Port St. Lucie police are continuing to investigate a crash that left a 14-year-old Treasure Coast High School student critically injured Wednesday morning. Investigators are now seeking witnesses and video that could help determine what happened.
PSL police seek witnesses, video after student critically hurt walking to school. CBS12’s Paige Meyer reports.
In an update Thursday morning, police spokesperson Brandon Martinez confirmed the freshman remains hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit in critical condition.
“At this time, we have not been advised of any signs of improvement in his condition,” Martinez said.
The crash happened around 6 a.m. Wednesday near Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southwest Squirrel Avenue.
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According to police, the teen was walking northbound near the edge of the roadway alongside construction barrels when he was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford Excursion driven by a 72-year-old man.
Investigators said the driver initially believed he had hit a construction barrel. He made a U-turn, returned to the scene and found the student unconscious along the roadway before calling 911.
Police previously said the driver was cooperating with investigators and showed no apparent signs of impairment.
The crash happened on National Walk and Roll to School Day, an annual event encouraging students to walk and bike to school safely.
Martinez said there is no new information to release as the department’s Traffic Homicide Unit continues investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“The investigation remains active and ongoing as our Traffic Homicide Unit continues to work through the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Martinez said. “We also do not have any additional information to release at this time regarding witnesses or potential dashcam or surveillance footage.”
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam or surveillance video from the area is encouraged to contact the Port St. Lucie Police Department. Police said they will provide additional updates when new information becomes available.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.