Teen Dies After Crash Involving School Crossing Guard

LAKELAND, FL — A 17-year-old high school student has died following a pedestrian crash on Clubhouse Road in Lakeland Monday morning.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Shirley Cross of Lakeland was heading east on Clubhouse Road near the intersection of Summerlin Hills Drive and Andros Boulevard around 6:18 a.m. As Cross approached the intersection, she struck Kalen Kirk, a George Jenkins High School student, an email from the sheriff’s office said.

Kirk “was running across Clubhouse to the bus stop located on Andros Boulevard,” the email noted. Kirk suffered critical injuries and was taken to Lakeland Regional for treatment. Kirk died from his injuries at 9:25 a.m., the sheriff's office reported.

Deputies say Cross, who is a school crossing guard supervisor hired by the sheriff’s office in 1996, was not injured.

The agency noted that “there is no crosswalk or school crossing at the intersection where the pedestrian crossed, and it was dark at that time of day. According to witnesses and preliminary information, Cross was unable to avoid striking the pedestrian.”

Roadways in the area are expected to remain closed until later Monday morning or early Monday afternoon as the investigation continues.

No charges have been filed.

Image via Shutterstock

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