STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A high school senior died in a crash this morning as he headed to graduation practice.
According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, Christopher Brooks, 18, of Hobe Sound, was driving northbound on SW Pratt Whitney Road when he rear-ended a dump truck near SW Bulldog Way shortly before 9 a.m.
Witnesses reported that Brooks failed to stop for a line of stopped vehicles before colliding with the truck. “We tried to get the door open, but it was stuck. It was pretty sad,” said Bernard Blackshire, a truck driver who witnessed the incident.
Emergency responders from Martin County Fire Rescue were on scene, and Brooks was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. His grandparents were reportedly present at the scene, according to Sheriff John Budensiek.
Authorities have not confirmed Brooks' speed at the time of the crash or whether he was wearing a seatbelt. Budensiek noted that Brooks may have been distracted but did not specify how.
“Life is fragile, and this emphasizes how quickly things can change,” Sheriff Budensiek said, expressing his condolences as a parent himself.
The Martin County School District announced the tragedy just hours before the senior class was scheduled to graduate at 7 p.m. “This is a heartbreaking loss for our students and community,” said Jennifer DeShazo, Chief of Staff for the district.
Graduation will proceed as planned, though it will take on a somber tone. “We want to honor the student's memory during the ceremony,” Principal Jaime Thompson stated.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the incident, with no further information available at this time.