Tuesday evening a 16-year-old lost control of their SUV on Ralston Road, running off the asphalt and into a tree. An 18-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle anddied at the scene.
A student at Armwood High School was killed Tuesday evening following a car accident on Ralston Road.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said on Sept. 1 at approximately 11:45 p.m. a 2004 Ford Expedition, driven by a 16-year-old who is also a student at Armwood, was speeding on the Eastbound lanes of Ralston Road in Plant City. As it approached County Line Road the driver of the SUV hit a speed bump and lost control. The vehicle ran off the roadway and hit a tree.
HCSO said the 18-year-old passenger was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Another passenger, 19, suffered non-life threatening injuries. The driver and the passenger were transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital.
“Our hearts break for the victim, his family, and especially his friends who now have to live with this traumatic and devastating loss,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “The teen driver in this case had a learner’s permit, which under Florida law, means they can only get behind the wheel if there’s a person 21 years or older in the front passenger seat. This law exists for a reason and it’s imperative for parents to make sure their teen understands the dangers and rules of the road. We lost a young person who had a whole life ahead of them because of one bad decision that could have been avoided.”
This is an ongoing investigation, but at this time HCSO said deputies do not believe alcohol or drugs contributed to this crash.
