Early Monday morning, a vehicle hit and killed a student who was walking across the street to get to the bus stop.
Kalen Kirk, 17, was a George Jenkins High School student. Kalen was crossing Clubhouse Road to get to his bus stop on Andros Boulevard when he was hit around 6:15 a.m.
Ironically, the driver who hit him has spent her career protecting children.
The driver, 60-year-old Shirley Cross of Lakeland, has been a school crossing guard supervisor for the Polk County Sheriff's Office since 1996. Cross was not injured.
"It's a tragedy and I'm heartbroken for this student's family," said Wendy Scott, who lives in the same neighborhood as the victim's family.
Investigators said Kirk crossed Clubhouse Road where there was not a crosswalk and in an area that is not well lit.
For years, the busy roads and the bus stop locations have been a point of contention for parents who live in the nearby subdivisions.
"I don't know how many accidents it's going to take or how many children have to lose their lives for somebody to come out here and actually do something about it," Scott said. "Something has to be done to make this road safer."
-----
This story has been updated due to a correction from Polk County Sheriff's Office on the spelling of the victim's first name.
PCSO conducting brake test to see how slick the road may have been. pic.twitter.com/IbVpCcIcw9
— Ryan Raiche (@ryanraiche) May 2, 2016
