ORLANDO, Fla. – A 16-year-old student was struck and killed Monday morning near Oak Ridge High School in Orange County, officials said.
The fatal crash happened around 8:10 a.m. on West Oak Ridge Road near Winegard Road in Orlando.
The girl’s name has not been released by authorities.
[Watch video below to learn what safety steps the county is looking at]
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 2012 Dodge Avenger driven by a 28-year-old Orlando woman was westbound on Oak Ridge Road and struck the girl, who was crossing the road but was not in a marked crosswalk.
The girl was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and later was pronounced dead.
The driver was not injured and remained at the scene, troopers said.
Orange County Public Schools later confirmed that a student had been struck and released a statement about the crash.
“Families of Oak Ridge High School were notified that a student was struck by a vehicle (Monday) morning just off campus. School administration is assisting law enforcement as they investigate the incident,” Orange County Public Schools said in a statement.
The FHP said Oak Ridge Road was blocked off west of Winegard Road while an investigation was underway.
Orange County Commissioner Mayra Uribe is an alumnus of Oak Ridge High School and represents the area. She says she has been advocating proper signs and crosswalks to stop speeders. She has requested a camera to catch speeders in front of the school.
“Due to legislation to pass two years ago in Tallahassee, we now will be able to give civil citations to vehicles at speed in a school zone area anytime throughout the school day,” Uribe said. “While it’s not in place yet, it is coming by 2026.”
Uribe says only 30 schools will get the speeding zone cameras in Orange County, and it’s almost certain that Oak Ridge will be getting one, especially after this tragedy.
