Two teens struck in separate car accidents

Michael Eng And Amy Quesinberry

One teenage boy is dead and a second is fighting for his life after two separate after-school crashes last week.

Both crashes took place Thursday, Feb. 16.

Ocoee Middle School students are grieving after learning one of their classmates died, when he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle home after school.

The incident occurred at about 4:25 p.m. at the intersection of Clarke and White roads, in unincorporated Orange County, about two miles from the school, which is located in the city of Ocoee.

The student, who has not been identified, was transported to Orlando Health — Health Central Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.

Principal Sam Davis sent a recorded voice message to Ocoee Middle parents notifying them of the incident and was setting up bereavement counseling for students.

“I speak for the entire Ocoee Middle School community when I express the grief we feel at the loss of one of our own,” Davis said in the message. “We will have grief coun- selors on campus for any student or staff member who needs to speak with someone about this loss. A wide range of emotions can be felt during the grief process and we encourage you to openly discuss your child’s reaction to this news.”

Just a few miles away, emergency crews airlifted a 14-year-old boy just before 5 p.m., following a hitand-run crash on Winter GardenVineland Road near Tilden Road in Winter Garden. According to Facebook accounts of the incident, the Bridgewater Middle student was riding a skateboard when he was hit by a car. The driver of the car did not stop to render aid or call for help.

Witnesses said the boy sustained a neck injury and was taken by helicopter to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Shortly after the incident, the boy’s aunt, Phuong Yuhas, organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family.

In updates to the fundraiser page, Yuhas said the boy’s first surgery took much longer than anticipated because of the extent of his injuries. The teen underwent a second emergency surgery Friday, Feb. 17, to relieve pressure on his brain. Following the second surgery, the boy did move his arms and legs, and he

Gofundme

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to assist the family of the Bridgewater Middle School student. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/jasonandfamily.

could hear his family speaking.

In the most recent update Monday, Feb. 20, Yuhas wrote: “We had a little setback yesterday, but he started responding to his neuro checks again today so we are praying it was nothing major. His pressures have been good and they will try to start feeding him soon. He is still continuing to fight and really needs to get through these next few days. Please keep praying for him! Thank you all!”

So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $54,000, which will be used to assist the family.

“His parents will need to miss work, and they also have a daughter to care for, so anything would help,” Yuhas wrote. “We truly appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. Thank you all so much — especially those that were at the scene with him.”