2 Recent Manatee Co. Grads Killed Exploring In Peru

BRADENTON, FL — Two recent graduates from Southeast High School in Manatee County died while exploring Peru, the school said on Saturday.

Zachary Morris and Albert Ales were killed in Peru while riding motorcycles, a local paper reported. The pair were hit by a bus and thrown off the motorcycle. They had been in Peru for just three hours.

The high school described the two as "bright young men," who recently graduated from the IB program. "We hold their family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly tough time. Class of 2019 and the Seminole family will forever keep you in our hearts," the school said.

Friends and teachers shared fond memories of the pair in interviews with News Channel 8.

"Albert was the guy that if you had a problem he was going to fix it. Zach is just the smartest guy you would ever see. He was so confident in his speaking," Anthony Sevarino told the outlet.

"When you find out about it you're just numb by it. You know Zach's mom and I were texting back and forth, and that was tough. It was tough. I had to go outside and take a walk," engineering teacher Richard Platt told the station.

One was set to attend Yale in the fall, while the other planned to attend University of Central Florida.