Winter Haven, Florida — A 16-year-old high school student was killed in a devastating multi-vehicle crash Monday morning, just hours before she was supposed to attend her first cheerleading practice and try out for the squad.
Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, a 10th grader at Winter Haven High School, was one of two people killed in the chain-reaction crash that involved a school bus and two other vehicles.
Her death has left classmates, teachers and family members grieving as the school community remembers a teenager described by officials as a joyful and well-loved student.
Teen Was Heading to School Before Tragic Crash
The crash happened at approximately 6:13 a.m. Monday on Lucerne Park Road in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A Polk County Public Schools bus was carrying 39 people, including 37 high school students, the bus driver and the driver’s 9-year-old daughter. The bus was traveling toward Winter Haven High School when it was involved in the collision.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said investigators reviewing video footage determined the bus was traveling eastbound on Lucerne Park Road when a Chevrolet Malibu traveling in the opposite direction crossed the center line.
The Malibu struck the school bus, setting off a chain reaction.
School Bus Was Forced Across the Road
The collision caused significant damage to the bus.
“It also appears to have ripped the tire off of the school bus,” Judd said. “The school bus then crossed over the westbound lane of traffic and hit a silver Jeep head-on.”
The bus eventually flipped into a ditch, while the Jeep caught fire. Adinaluz and the Jeep’s driver, 26-year-old Deshawn Smith, were both killed. Smith was reportedly on his way to work when the crash occurred.
“There’s absolutely nothing he could do to avoid it,” Judd said. “It was the blink of the eye.”
Superintendent Calls Conversation With Family the Hardest
Adinaluz’s death was particularly painful for the school community because she had been looking forward to beginning cheerleading practice.
At a Tuesday news conference, Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid described the teenager as someone who was deeply loved by those around her.
“An amazing young lady in every account,” Heid said. “Teachers loved her. Friends loved her.”
Heid said Monday was supposed to be Adinaluz’s first day of cheerleading practice, where she planned to try out for the squad.
“We had the opportunity to return her belongings last night to the parents,” he said.
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Heid then described the conversation with her family as one of the most difficult moments of his career.
“I can tell you in 14 years of being a superintendent, and having dealt with countless tragedies over the years, that was the most difficult conversation I’ve ever had with a family,” Heid continued.
School Bus Driver Tried to Help Students
Authorities also praised the school bus driver for her actions immediately following the collision. Judd said the driver was pinned inside the damaged bus and injured, but managed to get herself free.
He said she then returned to help the students who were still inside.
Judd praised her dedication and described how she “wedges herself out of the bus and then goes back … and is trying to help all of the students that’s on the bus.”
Video shown by the sheriff during Tuesday’s news conference captured the moments surrounding the crash, including students screaming at the moment of impact.
Three Students Remained Hospitalized
The crash left several people injured. As of Tuesday, three students remained hospitalized and were expected to recover, according to reports.
Investigators were continuing to examine exactly what caused the Malibu driver to cross the center line. The driver told authorities she didn’t “remember what happened.”
Judd said she had been treated and released from the hospital and was cooperating with investigators. He also said there was nothing at that point in the investigation indicating criminal culpability on her part.
He said the drivers involved were traveling below the speed limit and that the Malibu driver was not using her cellphone.
Winter Haven High School Remembers Adinaluz
The loss has deeply affected Winter Haven High School, where students and staff gathered Tuesday morning for a moment of silence in Adinaluz’s memory.
A fundraiser created to support her family described her as “loving, joyful, and always willing to help others.” The fundraiser also said she had many dreams ahead of her and was excited about trying out to become a cheerleader.
Instead of beginning a new chapter at school that morning, her family and classmates are now mourning a life that ended far too soon.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy? Share your condolences and messages of support for Adinaluz’s family and the Winter Haven High School community in the comments.
