A 14-year-old Treasure Coast High School freshman is in critical condition after being struck from behind by an SUV while walking to school in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday morning, the Port St. Lucie Police Department said.
Police said the crash happened around 6 a.m. near Southwest Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Southwest Squirrel Avenue. The teen was walking north along the boulevard near the edge of the road, in an area marked with construction barrels, when the 2002 Ford Excursion hit him.
According to police, the 72-year-old driver first thought he had hit a construction barrel and did not realize he had struck a person. He later made a U-turn at the next safe spot, returned to the scene with his hazard lights on and found the boy unconscious on the roadside. He then called 911.
Police said the driver has cooperated with investigators and that they have not seen signs of impairment. They cautioned that the assessment is preliminary and could change.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who saw the crash or has dash-camera, surveillance or other video from the area around that time is asked to call the Port St. Lucie Police Department at 772-871-5000.