On Wednesday morning, January 29, Dwyer High School student Aden Williams was walking to the bus stop when an SUV struck him, leaving the teen with serious injuries.
Williams, 14, was an honor student and aspiring engineer. Courtney Newell, a family friend who helped organize a vigil held in his honor on Wednesday, February 5, said that he was loved by many.
Police have not identified the driver, but say that a Ford Explorer struck Williams while he was walking to the bus stop, around 6:30 AM. The accident took place on the 3600 block of Congress Avenue, about a half-mile north of Blue Heron Boulevard. Williams was taken as a trauma patient to a West Palm Beach hospital, where he died several days later from his injuries.
The Palm Beach County school district says grief counselors are always available to help students after a death that affects the school. Mental health professionals will continue to provide support for students and faculty as long as necessary.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Williams’ family with expenses.
Unfortunately, Florida leads the nation in pedestrian deaths, and Williams is not the first child killed walking to a bus stop or waiting for a bus. Kids often wait for buses in the early morning hours, when there is less light and it’s more difficult for drivers to see. People driving to work at this time should be extra vigilant, particularly if they are driving through school zones or near bus stops. Driving slowly and paying attention to your surroundings helps reduce the risk of accidents.