16-year-old dies in Oviedo crash, officials say

Candlelight vigil to be held Monday night for Chris Johnson

OVIEDO, Fla. – Police said they have identified someone they are calling a person of interest after a 16-year-old boy who was pinned under a truck in Oviedo died.

Chris Johnson, a student at Hagerty High School, died following the crash that was reported about 7 p.m. Saturday on Chinaberry Avenue, officials said.

Deputies are now calling Johnson's death a "fatal accident," but neighbors said they want to know if it was more than that.

"(There) is more to it and we don't really know the story," resident Shante Rouse said. "There's more to it, and he was a good kid."

The Seminole County Sheriff's Office called the circumstances around Johnson's death suspicious and has a person of interest. But authorities did not call that person a suspect.

Neighbors who live in the area said they want to know who was behind the wheel of the truck found on top of Johnson.

"It's not just hurting him, it's hurting everyone around us. You know what I'm saying?" Rouse said. "He didn't even get a chance to live. He was what -- 15, 16 years old? That's sad."

When authorities arrived to the neighborhood, they found the truck that had pinned Johnson was still there, but the driver was nowhere to be found.

"He's so young. He's 16. He doesn't deserve to die like that," Alyia Rouse, who went to Hagerty High School with Johnson, said.

Seminole County Public Schools told News 6 on Sunday that grief counselors would be available at Hagerty High on Monday.

Students said they plan to wear red, Johnson's favorite color, on Monday. There is also a candlelight vigil planned for Monday night at Round Lake Park.

 

"He's in heaven now," Alyia Rouse said. "He's in a better place, and I think he'd appreciate everyone supporting him."


About the Authors:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

Recommended Videos