LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland Police said a bicyclist was killed after being hit by a Schools of McKeel Academy bus early Tuesday morning.
According to Lakeland PD, officers think the bicyclist, identified by his family as Jaxon Crabtree, was attempting to cross the 3900 block of Pipkin Road when he was hit by the bus.
Investigators said Crabtree was trying to make a left turn to go northbound on Medula Road from the eastbound turn lane when he crossed into the path of the school bus and was hit. Eight passengers ranging in age from 8-11 and the driver were on the bus during the crash.
Lakeland Police, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all worked to save Jaxon at the scene. He was taken to Lakeland Regional Health, where he was later pronounced dead.
Jaxon attended the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in Lakeland. A relative, Stephanie Ryder, started a GoFundMe in memory of Jaxson.
Polk County Schools issued the following statement about the student's death.
“We are heartbroken by this morning’s news of a Central Florida Aerospace Academy student who lost his life in a traffic accident before school. 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. We urge everyone in our community — all motorists and students — to take extra caution around schools and help save lives.”
Polk County and the City of Lakeland said they are "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a young life this morning on West Pipkin Road."
The county and city said a traffic light is being installed at the intersection of Medulla Road and West Pipkin Road by the developer of the Riverstone subdivision.
However, the installation of the signal has been "stalled due to supply-chain issues in procuring the controller cabinet," the County told ABC Action News. Polk County said delays like this are impacting projects nationwide and have pushed back schedules on similar county and FDOT projects for the last two years.
According to Polk County, the developer said the equipment is six months out for delivery of their order.
The county also said a pedestrian crosswalk will be added concurrent with the signal installation.
Friends and classmates gathered on Tuesday night to remember the 15-year-old.
"Even processing it throughout the school day, it's hard to focus, still can't really believe it," said Carter Catalano, Jaxon's friend.
"He was just such a good friend, always there for me if I needed help with any assignment, he'd be there."
