A 16-year-old boy from St. Thomas Aquinas High School was killed and several of his classmates were hospitalized after a fiery multi-vehicle crash in Pompano Beach on Friday night, authorities said Saturday. Detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit are looking into the crash, which happened just before 8 p.m. in the 200 block of West Copans Road.
According to BSO officials, a preliminary investigation revealed that a 16-year-old male was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 westbound on West Copans Road, near Leisure Boulevard.
At the same time, authorities reported that an 82-year-old man was driving a 2021 Toyota Sienna southbound on Leisure Boulevard.
Investigators said the Toyota turned left and collided with the Mercedes, causing the teen to lose control of the vehicle.
According to reports, the Mercedes rolled onto its roof, slid across the road, and collided with a 2015 Lexus RX 350 heading east. A 2021 Toyota RAV4 traveling eastbound was also struck by debris from the collision.
Deputies began life-saving efforts before Pompano Beach Fire Rescue arrived. All occupants of the Mercedes and Lexus were taken to nearby hospitals. According to investigators, the Mercedes driver, who was 16 years old, was later pronounced dead.
According to BSO, four passengers in the Mercedes survived: a 17-year-old female and three 17-year-old males. Marsy’s Law prevents them from revealing their identities.
According to authorities, neither the Sienna driver nor the RAV4 driver reported any injuries. Both remained on the scene and cooperated with investigators. Marsy’s Law also prohibits the disclosure of any additional information about the adult drivers.
According to detectives, preliminary findings suggest that excessive speed may have contributed to the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
According to authorities, the students involved in the crash attend St. Thomas Aquinas High School. As of Saturday evening, they had not released the identity of the deceased teen.
Reference: Fiery crash leaves St. Thomas student dead, several classmates injured, authorities say