LAKELAND, Fla. – A 15-year-old student was struck and killed by a school bus Tuesday morning in Florida, officials said.
The fatal crash happened around 7 a.m. on Pipkin Road in Lakeland.
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The teen, who attended Central Florida Aerospace Academy, was attempting to cross Pipkin Road when he was struck by a bus of The Schools of McKeel Academy, according to authorities.
The boy was taken to Lakeland Regional Health and was later pronounced dead, officials said.
The driver of the charter school bus remained at the scene and was not injured, according to officials.
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid later issued a statement about the teen’s death.
“We are heartbroken by (the) news of a Central Florida Aerospace Academy student who lost his life in a traffic accident before school. This is a devastating tragedy for the student’s family, as well as CFAA and our community. We have been in contact with the student’s family and are making counselors available to the students and staff at school. We urge everyone in our community — all motorists and students — to take extra caution around schools and help save lives,” he said.
The Schools of McKeel Academy said the driver, hired in August 2022, has been placed on paid leave.
The school also issued a statement to families of its students.
“(Tuesday) morning we learned of a tragic accident involving one of our buses and a PCPS student. No mere words can offer any solace. Our hearts are broken over this accident and tragic loss of a young life. We join our PCPS family and the family of the student as our community processes this enormous grief. The Schools of McKeel Academy will fully cooperate with law enforcement throughout the investigation,” the statement said.