CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Largo High School student was hit and killed by a car while walking across the road on Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the 15-year-old boy, identified by Pinellas County Schools as Ethan Weiser, was walking across Belleair Road near South Haven Drive around 6:45 a.m. when he was hit by a car on the two-lane, unlit roadway.
The 60-year-old woman driving the car stopped along the shoulder of the road, FHP says. Weiser died at the scene.
"Ethan was a great kid," Matt Croasmun, Weiser's uncle, said. "Super positive."
Croasmun described being in disbelief when he first heard the news.
"Like most people in that situation, I thought for sure there was no way that's what actually happened, right?" Croasmun explained. "Because stuff like that doesn't happen to you. It happens to other people."
Weiser, the oldest of six children, was also described by his uncle as a "good kid" who would volunteer to help the family whenever he was needed.
Ashley Hood, a neighbor who lives near where the collision happened, said that something needs to be done in the area.
"There needs to be lights. It's very dangerous at night time and in the morning, for the kids to be crossing, trying to get to school — whatever they're trying to do in the morning — it's very dangerous," Hood described.
Along with the lack of light, speed also appears to be an issue, according to both Croasmun and Hood.
"People come through above the speed limit. People don't pay attention, on their phones," Croasmun said.
Hood echoed his concerns.
"There is speed, people not paying attention. Nobody's paying attention anything," she said, adding that she even chooses to "go the long way" to avoid that route.
Pinellas County Schools released this statement in light of the Weiser's death:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Largo High School student Ethan Weiser, in a tragic accident this morning. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and school community. We have grief counselors at the school and will provide support as we all grieve this heartbreaking loss.