PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A 17-year-old west Boca Raton boy is dead after authorities said he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle on Thursday evening.
The crash happened just before 6 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441 and Spanish Isles Boulevard.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a 2015 Kia Optima, driven by a 46-year-old Palm Beach County woman, was traveling north on U.S. 441.
That's when the teen, riding his bicycle, tried crossing the busy roadway while not in a marked crosswalk.
The sheriff's office said the 17-year-old rode his bike directly into the path of the Optima and was hit, crashing onto the hood and windshield of the car before landing in the road.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene, while driver of the Optima was not hurt, according to a sheriff's office crash report.
The identify of the 17-year-old has not been released, but the principal of Olympic Heights Community High School confirmed he was a student there.
Olympic Heights Principal Kelly Mills Burke sent the following letter to parents and staff:
"It is with great sadness that I inform you that we have lost a student, and member of the Olympic Heights family, in a tragic accident that occurred off-campus yesterday. Out of respect for the family's privacy, I am not sharing the student's name at this time. Grief counselors are available on our campus today to help students and staff who would like additional emotional support. At Olympic Heights, we are a family that celebrates our successes together and grieves our losses together. I have offered our condolences to the student's family and we will continue to offer our support. I am certain that you will keep the family in your thoughts."
