A high school student with special needs, was killed on her way to her bus stop in Florida after she was struck by a car.
A black Nissan SUV hit Forest High School senior Shannon Rushing around 6.20am in Ocala on October 27.
The driver was a 60-year-old woman who collided with the 18-year-old from behind on Northwest Old Blitchton Road near Seventh Street, according to police.
Officials at the school identified that the victim was Rushing who said that she previously attended Howard Middle schools and Ward-Highlands Elementary.
The unidentified driver, who is not in custody, stayed on the scene and cooperated with investigators.
The street where the crash took place does not have sidewalks on either side of the road, and it has a 30 miles per hour speed limit.
However, it is unclear whether the woman’s speed was a factor, according to Spectrum News 13.
Rushing also had headphones on her person at the time of the accident, but officials are unsure if she was wearing them.
Shannon Rushing, a high school student with special needs, was killed on her way to her bus stop in Florida after she was struck by a car
A black Nissan SUV hit the 18-year-old around 6.20am in Ocala on October 27
‘Shannon was a very friendly, outgoing person,’ said Shanta Norton, Rushing’s older sister to Fox 5 Vegas.
Norton who was Rushing’s caretaker since their mother died, described her sister’s resilience: ‘She had disabilities, but it didn’t stop her. She was in the Christian club, and she just joined one in school as a matter of fact, but she is a very outgoing person.’
A GoFundMe was launched in efforts to support her family. The campaigns bio highlighted the student’s natural ability to lift those around her.
It has surpassed its goal and has raised nearly $11,000.
Ocala Police Department spokesperson Jeff Walczak told Spectrum News: ‘This is a terrible tragedy, and our hearts go out to the family and friends and the whole Forest High School community. And our focus is going to be to conduct a thorough investigation and provide any updates as they become available.’
The principal of the school Dr. Dion Gary added: She was very smart, very bright. This is her senior year. She was on track to graduate, and she was looking forward to going to a major college, a university in the State of Florida,’
‘Shannon was a very friendly, outgoing person,’ said Shanta Norton, Rushing’s older sister
The principal of the school Dr. Dion Gary added: She was very smart, very bright
‘She loved animals. She was in our AG foundation class, loved hanging out with her family and friends.’
‘She was somebody that you would want as a role model, somebody who, you know, made Forest High School a better school. So, it’s a loss for all of us to lose her.’
The principal noted that Rushing had many brothers and sisters that he feels sorry for and wished them strength during such a difficult moment.
Grief counsellors were available for students and staff during the week of the accident to help handle the heartbreak.
In 2022, there were 7,522 pedestrian deaths which was the highest number in 41 years according to the CDC.
