STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — A high school senior was killed in a crash just hours before graduating on Thursday morning.
Christopher Brooks, 18, of Hobe Sound was driving northbound on SW Pratt Whitney Road heading to South Fork High School for graduation practice when he rear-ended a dump truck near SW Bulldog Way, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. Emergency responders were dispatched at 8:58 a.m., with deputies and Martin County Fire Rescue arriving to the scene.
Witnesses reported that Brooks failed to slow down for stopped vehicles in front of him. “It was just sad,” one witness said, recalling attempts to assist the driver. Authorities confirmed Brooks' grandparents were present at the scene.
Sheriff John Budensiek indicated that Brooks may have been distracted but did not provide specifics. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Brooks was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. “This morning highlights just how fragile life is,” Budensiek remarked.
The South Fork High School community expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, with Chief of Staff Jennifer DeShazo stating, “Our hearts are broken for the student, his family, his friends.” The graduation ceremony was still scheduled for 7 p.m. but will bear a somber tone in light of the incident.
DeShazo confirmed that Project Graduation has been canceled due to the circumstances but noted efforts to possibly reschedule later. The Florida Highway Patrol is taking over the investigation, and no further information is available at this time.