Spring ISD student hit, killed by truck while crossing I-45

A Spring High School student who was struck by a pickup truck while trying to cross Interstate 45 on Friday has died, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Saturday morning. 

The 16-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition after he and another Spring ISD student attempted to cross the North Freeway near Louetta Road shortly after noon Friday. According to Gonzalez, one of the students was struck by a vehicle as they crossed. The injured teen was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, where he was pronounced dead. 

The driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators and showed no signs of intoxication, authorities said.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, a Ford F-150 was traveling southbound in the freeway’s main lanes when the student, who was crossing eastbound, was struck. 

Harris County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Pete Villacorta said in an interview with FOX 26 on Friday that the two students had left a nearby Home Depot when they decided to cross the highway. One student stopped after noticing an approaching vehicle, while the other continued across the roadway and was struck, he said. Authorities said the second student was not injured. 

“I don’t think they were horsing around or daring each other to do it, according to the juvenile who was able to speak with us,” Villacorta told FOX 26. “I think they were just trying to cross the road.”

This is a developing story.