ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Counselors will be at Patriot Oaks Academy on Wednesday morning to support the school community following the death of a 12-year-old student who was hit by a car while riding a motorized bike.
Christina Upchurch, spokesperson for the St. Johns County School District, told News4JAX a support team will be on site starting Wednesday as the community mourns the death of the student who was hit in the Durbin Crossing neighborhood on Tuesday.
“They will stay as long as is needed, which could range from hours to days,” Upchurch said.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the student was riding a 99c gas-powered mini dirt bike around 3 p.m. when he was hit by a car in the crosswalk outside of Patriot Oaks Academy on Longleaf Pine Parkway.
The St. Johns County School District initially said the student was riding an e-bike, but it was later clarified that he was riding a dirt bike.
The 17-year-old driver was cooperating with the investigation, according to deputies. At the time, and based on the current evidence, deputies said no charges had been filed.
The student suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the hospital, according to the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department. Around 11 p.m., the sheriff’s office said the student had died.
SJSO confirmed that the student was wearing the helmet that was seen on the ground near the bike.
On Wednesday morning, school officials sent a statement addressing the student’s death and the challenging times ahead for the whole community.
Read the full statement below:
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share the news of the unexpected passing of one of our beloved Patriot Oaks Academy Chargers. Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt concern are with the student’s family, close friends, neighbors, classmates, and teachers during this incredibly difficult time.
The coming days will be challenging for our school community. Please know that you are not alone. Our school counselors, in collaboration with members of the district crisis response team, will be available to support any student, staff member, or family in need. Additional mental health professionals will remain on campus for as long as necessary to ensure everyone has access to care.
This message is being sent prior to the start of the school day to allow families time to speak with their children in whatever manner they feel is most appropriate. We anticipate that students may arrive at school with a range of emotions and questions. While we may not have all the answers, we are committed to maintaining a sense of routine while also providing safe, supportive spaces for those who need time to process their feelings.
If you feel your child would benefit from individual support or is struggling to cope, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Patriot Oaks Academy
Nicole Davidson-Harshaw with Dupont Counseling joined The Morning Show on Wednesday to talk about how to cope with loss and help families navigate this difficult time.
Sophia and Scarlett Zapata knew the student who was hit, and Sophia was his classmate.
“I could tell you that he’s a really nice kid, and I talked to him a lot,” Sophia Zapata said.
“He’s a wonderful kid,” Scarlett Zapata said. “I’ve heard so much about him and his brother and how he’s super nice, and he’s just really sweet.”
Witnesses said paramedics attempted to use a defibrillator on scene, but he was not responding.
Sophia and her sister sent their prayers in support of his family.
“I feel like I can understand how hard it was for his parents and his relatives to find out. It’s a really hard thing to lose a child. I’m not sure if he’s unconscious or if he has passed, but at least we can pray,” she said.
There is a growing memorial set up near the crosswalk outside the school, with flowers and candles.
On social media, several people have said they would like to see things like flashing beacon lights like at that intersection down the road, along the streets, and at crosswalks to protect people who walk, bike, ride scooters and even drivers.
In a post on Facebook, Christian Whitehurst, who is the District 1 commissioner, said:
“My heart breaks for this young man and his family. Seeing the impact this has had on my own son has been devastating, yet I know that is only a fraction of what his family is enduring,” Whitehurst wrote.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation.