Jaxon Crabtree.Photo:Go Fund Me
Go Fund Me
“The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived to begin life-saving measures,” authorities said. Per the statement, Crabtree was transported to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced deceased.
In another update, Lakeland Police said, based on evidence gathered, “the school bus was traveling west on West Pipkin Road approaching Medulla Road" when “the bicyclist was attempting to make a left turn northbound onto Medulla Road from the eastbound left turn lane.” Crabtree was in the path of the bus when he was fatally hit.
The police added that the investigation is ongoing.
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Lakeland Police did not name the victim in its news release, but multiple media reports and a GoFundMe page established in Crabtree’s memory identified the teen. A candlelight vigil was held at the crash scene on Tuesday evening, according to local NBC affiliateWFLA.
“He was such a good friend, always there for me, always there for his classmates,” Carter Catalano, a friend of Crabtree, told the news station. “It’s horrible to see something like this happen, especially because he bikes home every day.”
“This is a devastating tragedy for the student’s family, as well as CFAA and our community. We have been in contact with the student’s family and are making counselors available to the students and staff at school,” official added. “We urge everyone in our community — all motorists and students — to take extra caution around schools and help save lives.”
Local ABC affiliateWFTSreported that a traffic light is being installed at the intersection of Medulla Road and West Pipkin Road, but the procedure has been “stalled due to supply-chain issues in procuring the controller cabinet,” a representative for Polk county told the news station.
PEOPLE reached out to the Lakeland Police Department and the GoFundMe organizer for additional information, but did not receive an immediate response.
source: people.com
