15-Year-Old Lakeland Boy On Bike Hit And Killed By School Bus

LAKELAND, FL — A 15-year-old boy has died after being struck by a school bus Tuesday morning while trying to cross the street on a bicycle.

According to Lakeland police, the accident occurred just before 7 a.m. near Pipkin Road and White Egret Lane. When police arrived, they found the teen lying in the road. Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department began life-saving measures and then rushed the teen to Lakeland Regional Health where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the teen was struck by a school bus headed to the Schools of McKeel Academy, 1810 Parker St., Lakeland.

The teen was a student at Central Florida Aerospace Academy, 4141 Medulla Road, Lakeland.

“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," Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Fred Heid said in a statement.

"This is a devastating tragedy for the student’s family, as well as CFAA and our community," he said. "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.”

Police said evidence at the scene indicates the teen was trying to cross Pipkin Road when the bus struck him.