A Florida 18-year-old high school senior who was on his way to graduation practice died in a crash that happened just steps from campus.
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Christopher Brooks was driving to South Fork High School in Stuart Thursday morning when his Honda sedan slammed into the back of a dump truck, police said.
“It does not look like he hit the brakes,” Marion County Sheriff John Budensiek at a news conference. “Clearly, there was some type of distraction, but we don’t know what that distraction was.”
Brooks was killed in upon impact, deputies said. He was expected to graduate that same night.
“This highlights how fragile life is,” said Sheriff Budensiek.
Brooks was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.
Sheriff Budensiek said the 18-year old was a beloved student at South Fork High School and that the community is in “shock”.
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Police said Brooks’ closest friends was one of the first people on the scene of the crash. Sheriff Budensiek said that friend saw “what no one should see”.
South Fork High School released a statement expressing grief over the loss of a student.
“Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends, and all who are grieving,” the school said in a statement.
The graduation ceremony was held Thursday evening and a local pastor joined the graduating class to honor Brooks’ life.
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Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.