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15-year-old Pine Ridge student killed in head-on crash near school

Wreck investigated at Pine Ridge High School

DELTONA, Fla. – A 15-year-old Pine Ridge High School student was killed Monday morning in a head-on crash outside the school's entrance, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said Joshua Durner, 15, was driving a 2006 Hyundia Elantra eastbound on Howland Boulevard at about 6:50 a.m. when he turned into the school's entrance in the path of a westbound Nissan Pathfinder.

The Pathfinder hit the Elantra head-on and a Nissan pickup truck that was behind the Pathfinder was unable to avoid the crash, a news release said.

Durner died as a result of his injuries. Deputies said he was the only person in the Elantra and he was not wearing a seat belt.

Officials said another student normally drives Durner to school but Durner was running late Monday morning and unable to get a ride so he drove himself without his parents' knowledge.

Two children who were in the Pathfinder did not have any significant injuries but the driver, 34-year-old Dayana Garcia, suffered a hip injury and passenger Angelo Rodriguez, 33, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The pickup driver, 63-year-old Francisco Pinto, was taken to an area hospital to be treated for a minor back injury.

Grief counselors will be available for Pine Ridge High School students.

“A sophomore and a student at Pine Ridge High School was killed this morning as a result of a traffic accident. The district has provided grief counselors to assist the students and faculty of Pine Ridge High School cope with this tragic and untimely loss.  Counselors will be on campus again tomorrow to continue supporting students and faculty. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their students’ counselor if they feel their student may need additional support.  Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and to the entire Panther community as they cope with the news of his passing,” a Volusia County Schools spokesperson said in a statement.

Chris Anderson, whose children also attend the school, told News 6 people speed in the area where the crash took place.

"We have difficulty with the speed issues. People fly down this road," Anderson said. "I drive this road every day taking kids to school and there is no police out here."

Anderson said he's brought the issue of speed to the principal's attention multiple times.

"It's too fast out here. We need to put some signs up warning people that's it's a school zone," Anderson said.

He said his 17-year-old daughter doesn't drive yet because she doesn't feel ready and they believe she needs more experience to understand how dangerous driving can be.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.

 


About the Author
Daniel Dahm headshot

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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