LAKE MARY, Fla. – A 17-year-old high school student died late Saturday after a Seminole County deputy and his trainee tried to rescue him from a fiery crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
Troopers said Brandon Thai, of Lake Mary, was driving a Nissan east on I-4 near Exit 101A at 11:11 p.m. when he lost control of the car and veered onto the right shoulder of the road.
A Seminole County deputy and his trainee were driving west on I-4 when they saw Thai's car catch fire after the driver's side slammed into a tree, troopers said.
The deputy and his trainee got out of their vehicle and crossed the eastbound lanes of the interstate to pull Thai out of the burning car, the Highway Patrol said.
Troopers said Thai was unconscious when they pulled him out. He died at the scene, troopers said.
Thai was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, according to the crash report.
A spokesman for Seminole County Public Schools said Thai was a student at Lake Mary High School. A moment of silence will be held at the school Monday in remembrance of him, the spokesman said.
Grief counselors will be available to students on campus as long as needed, school officials said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we wish to respect their privacy during this difficult time," the spokesman said.
Troopers said it is unknown what caused Thai to lose control of the car, but said that the road was wet and it appeared that he had just switched lanes.
The Highway Patrol said the crash is still being investigated.