ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools is sharing a safety message after two students were hit by vehicles.
The district sent the message Sunday to parents, urging them to talk to their children about safety.
One student in Winter Garden was critically injured in a hit-and-run while riding a skateboard, according to police. Another student from Ocoee Middle School was struck and killed in a crash on Friday.
“Please take this opportunity to speak with your child about the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety whenever they are out in the community. Remind them to always use sidewalks when available, cross the road it marked crosswalks and walking groups whenever possible,” OCPS said in the message.
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Parents in Ocoee are pushing for a crossing guard near the middle school where the student was hit and killed. Neighbors said the area is known for heavy traffic and could use safety improvements, such as crossing guards and school days.
“I think the presence of a crossing guard would actually bring some awareness to some of the people that are driving there. There’s two cars they just zoom without really looking too much,” a neighbor said.
The district said law enforcement is responsible for crossing guards.
The teen in Winter Garden has had multiple surgeries since the crash.
According to a GoFundMe update, his family said he remains in critical condition and that the next three to seven days are crucial to see what his path to recovery looks like.
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