ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 A 12-year-old student on a motorized bike died after being hit by a car Tuesday in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood in St. Johns County.<\/p>\n
The St. Johns County Sheriff\u2019s Office said the student was riding a 99c gas-powered mini dirt bike around 3 p.m. when he was hit by a car in the crosswalk outside of Patriot Oaks Academy on Longleaf Pine Parkway.<\/p>\n
The St. Johns County School District initially said the student was riding an e-bike in earlier reports.<\/p>\n
The 17-year-old driver was cooperating with the investigation, according to deputies. At the time, and based on the current evidence, deputies said no charges had been filed.<\/p>\n
The student suffered life-threatening injuries, according to the St. Johns County Fire Rescue department, and was life-flighted to the hospital, but died from his injuries, according to an announcement from the sheriff\u2019s office around 11 p.m.<\/p>\n
Sophia and Scarlett Zapata knew the student who was hit, and Sophia was his classmate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could tell you that he\u2019s a really nice kid, and I talked to him a lot,\u201d Sophia Zapata said. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a wonderful kid,\u201d Scarlett Zapata said. \u201cI\u2019ve heard so much about him and his brother and how he\u2019s super nice, and he\u2019s just really sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Witnesses said paramedics attempted to use a defibrillator on scene, but he was not responding. <\/p>\n
Sophia and her sister sent their prayers in support of his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I can understand how hard it was for his parents and his relatives to find out. It\u2019s a really hard thing to lose a child. I\u2019m not sure if he\u2019s unconscious or if he has passed, but at least we can pray,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
SJSO confirmed that the student was wearing the helmet that was seen on the ground near the bike.<\/p>\n
Christina Upchurch with the school district said a support counselor will be at the school starting Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey will stay as long as is needed, which could range from hours to days,\u2019 Upchurch said.<\/p>\n
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.<\/p>\n
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