Man swerving to avoid dogs hits, kills teen on scooter: PCSO

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Polk County Sheriff's Office says a teenager on a scooter was struck and killed early Tuesday morning in Winter Haven.

Investigators say around 5:50 a.m., Yeriel Gonzalez, 15, was on an electric scooter near the center of the southbound lane of 34th Street when a Dodge Durango was heading northbound on 34th Street.

The driver of the Durango told officials he swerved to avoid some dogs that ran into the road and that's when Gonzalez struck the right front of the SUV.

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office

Yeriel, who was a student at Auburndale High School, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"I feel totally, totally sickened to my stomach because nothing like this should happen. He was on his way to school and he lost his life," said Travale Ash, whose daughter also attends Auburndale High School.

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"I came out here to make sure that, if no one had a phone, I could call, try to call 911, try to help the kid out, but it was bad," said Michael Crouse, who lives near the scene of the crash. "I went home this morning and I actually cried for the mom because no one should have to bury their kid that young. He had a whole life ahead of him."

The driver of the Durango was not injured and was not initially charged.

The investigation is ongoing.