Crash Kills Armwood High School Student, Injures 2 Others

PLANT CITY, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating a deadly traffic crash that left an 18-year-old high school student dead and two other teens injured.

Around 11:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the second day back to the classroom for Hillsborough County public school students, a 2004 Ford Expedition driven by a 16-year-old, was speeding east on Ralston Road, approaching County Line Road in Plant City, when the driver hit a speed bump and lost control of the SUV.

The SUV ran off the road and hit a tree. The 18-year-old passenger was ejected from the SUV and died at the scene. The drive and the right rear passenger, a 19-year-old, suffered injuries that are not life-threatening. Both the driver and the passenger were transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital.

At this time, deputies do not believe alcohol or drugs contributed to this crash. Both the driver and the deceased victim were enrolled at Armwood High School. The surviving passenger is a recent graduate.

"Our hearts break for the victim, his family and especially his friends who now have to live with this traumatic and devastating loss," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "The teen driver in this case had a learner's permit, which under Florida law means they can only get behind the wheel if there's a person 21 years or older in the front passenger seat. This law exists for a reason and it's imperative for parents to make sure their teen understands the dangers and rules of the road. We lost a young person who had a whole life ahead of them because of one bad decision that could have been avoided."

The sheriff's office has not released the names of those involved in the accident.