An 18-year-old South Fork High School senior on his way to graduation practice died in a crash the morning of May 21 near the high school, according to Martin County sheriff’s and school officials.
Christopher Brooks, of Hobe Sound, was driving around 8:30 a.m. when the crash occurred at Pratt Whitney Road and Southwest Bulldog Way, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said at an 11 a.m. news conference in front of the high school.
“There was a line of traffic that was stopped,” Budensiek said. “There was a semi and there was a dump truck, and for a reason that we’re not sure of yet, he drove straight into the back of the dump truck without apparently hitting the brakes and was dead on impact.”
Brooks was supposed to graduate from South Fork High School later that day at 7 p.m., Budensiek said.
Brooks drove a four-door 2007 Honda Accord north on Pratt Whitney Road as a dumptruck and a semi-tractor were stopped in front of him. The speed limit is 45 mph in the area.
“It did not look like he hit the brakes,” Budensiek said. “Clearly there was some type of a distraction, but we don’t know what that distraction was.”
He drove straight into the back of a dump truck that was stopped behind a tractor-trailer at the light, which was either red or just turning green, Budensiek said.
Brooks was the only person in the car.
“This morning highlights just how fragile life is, how quickly things can change,” Budensiek said.
One of his friends was first on the scene after the crash and saw what no one should see, Budensiek said.
It’s unknown how fast Brooks was going or if he was wearing his seatbelt, Budensiek said, but the sheriff said it wouldn’t have mattered because the teen drove up under the back of the dump truck, which was pushed forward into the back of the tractor-trailer.
“I don’t know exactly what took place with Mr. Brooks this morning, but pay attention when you’re out there driving,” Budensiek said. “Drive defensively. Don’t be texting and driving.”
Budensiek said Brooks’ grandparents, who are his legal guardians, were at the scene “pretty much since this crash took place.”
Brooks previously attended Hobe Sound Elementary School and Murray Middle School, said Jennifer DeShazo, Martin County School District’s chief of staff and strategic communication, at an 11:30 a.m. news conference at the high school. He was on the bowling team and in a veterinary program.
Graduation that evening would be taking on a different tone and honor Brooks the best way possible, DeShazo said.
“Our goal this morning was to make sure that we had counseling available to everyone,” DeShazo said. “We will continue to have that. We have psychologists and social workers on site who are working with staff and families. That will continue to occur in the coming days.”
The driver of the 2015 Kenworth dump truck, a 39-year-old man from West Palm Beach, and the driver of the 2015 Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer, a 45-year-old man from Powder Springs, Georgia, weren’t injured, according to FHP officials.
One person who sustained minor injuries in the crash declined to be taken to the hospital, said Martin County Fire Rescue spokesperson Jillian Kay.
Pratt Whitney Road in front of the school was closed for several hours after the crash, according to sheriff’s and school officials.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers were on the scene working the traffic homicide investigation.
(This story has been updated with more information, videos, photos.)
Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter with TCPalm. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: South Fork High School senior dies in crash with dump truck
Reporting by Laurie K. Blandford and Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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