Crews Lake Middle School Principal Killed In Crash

LAND O’ LAKES, FL — The 46-year-old principal of Crews Lake Middle School was killed in a Friday morning crash near the intersection of State Road 52 and U.S. 41.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Adam C. Kennedy was heading west on State Road 52, west of U.S. 41, in a Dodge pickup truck around 6:41 a.m. Jan. 20. At that time, a semi driven by Jason Harbarugh, 41, of Wauchula was heading west on State Road 52.

Troopers say Harbarugh slowed to turn at an address on State Road 52, but Kennedy, a Land O’ Lakes resident, did not stop. Kennedy’s truck struck the rear of the trailer, a highway patrol report said, and then ran into a fence.

Kennedy was pronounced dead at the scene, the report noted.

The crash remains under investigation with charges pending the outcome.

"The entire Pasco County Schools family is deeply saddened at the news of the tragic death of Crews Lake Middle School Principal Adam Kennedy," a statement from the school district said. "He was an incredible human being and an amazing administrator."

The district has sent crisis team members to both Crews Lake and Weightman Middle School. Kennedy taught social studies at Weightman for about a decade and also served as the school's tech specialist. He was promoted to assistant principal at Crews Lake in 2009 and became the school's principal on Jan. 20, 2015.

“I am devastated,” said Superintendent Kurt Browning. “I don’t know why things like this happen. Adam was such a tremendous person.”

Kennedy is survived by his wife, a Pasco County teacher, and two elementary-aged children, the district's statement said.

Photo courtesy of Pasco County Schools