PORT ST. LUCIE – The family of the Treasure Coast High School freshman who was killed when he was struck by a car on Oct. 7 near the intersection of Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southwest Squirrel Avenue, Port St. Lucie decided to donate his organs, Port St. Lucie Police said in a news release on Oct. 12.
The family made the decision “in hopes of helping others in need and keeping their beloved son’s memory alive,” the department said in the news release.
In addition, the high school is providing grief counseling for students and staff to help them through the loss of their classmate and student, according to the news release.
The 14-year-old was pronounced clinically dead on Oct. 9, shortly after 4 p.m., at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, according to Port St. Lucie Police.
The Treasure Coast High School freshman was walking north along Port St. Lucie Boulevard, near the edge of the road aligned with construction barrels in the area, police previously said in a news release.
The 14-year-old was struck from behind by a 2002 Ford Excursion driven by a 72-year-old man, police said.
The driver told police that he believed he hit a construction barrel and did not realize that he actually struck someone with his car. He made a U-turn at the next intersection, activated his hazard lights, and found the teenager unconscious on the side of the road, according to the release.
The driver then called 911 and has remained cooperative with investigators, according to the release.
No charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.
“We recognize that no words can ease the pain of losing a child, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the department said in the press release.