RSSLake County High School Student Killed During Two-Car Crash
The family and friends of a Lake County high school student are in a state of shock, disbelief, and varying stages of grief today after their loved one was killed while walking across the street yesterday morning near Willow Pines Lane in Clermont.
Preliminary reports from troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol indicate that it was approximately 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 17, 2022, when a 14-year-old freshman at Lake Minneola High School was walking along County Road 455 near the highway’s intersection with Willow Pines Lane. At this same time, 57-year-old Enrique Ramirez was driving a 2007 Pontiac G6 in the northbound direction of County Road 455, and as the Winter Garden resident approached the upcoming intersection, he struck the teenager who was crossing the street at the time. The driver of the Pontiac did not stop to help the injured pedestrian and fled the scene of the crash immediately afterward.
After an undetermined amount of time, but presumably within a matter of minutes, the young hit-and-run crash victim was struck a second time by a 59-year-old man from Ferndale who was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram. This driver stopped and pulled over to the side of the road to help the injured teenager and remained at the scene until local authorities arrived.
Officers with the Florida Highway Patrol and local emergency services were dispatched to the crash site, but the high school student had already passed away from the life-threatening injuries he sustained during both auto accidents. The driver of the Dodge Ram was unharmed during the incident.
Shortly into their investigation, deputies with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate the damaged Pontiac G6, which had been abandoned by the driver at some point. Later that same day, officers arrested 57-year-old Enrique Ramirez for leaving the scene involving death and transported him to Lake County Jail.
Counselors were made available to student and faculty members at Lake Minneola High School. “This is a difficult day for all of us, but especially for the family members and those friends and classmates who knew him best,” said Linda Shepherd-Miller, the school’s principal.
Since 1977, Lake County wrongful death lawyer James O. Cunningham has been compassionately representing families who have lost a loved one during an auto accident. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact us today at 877-FL-INJURY.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.