Pines Teen Hit Walking To School

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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A Pembroke Pines teen was rushed to the hospital after he was struck by a Dodge pick up truck.

The 15-year old, who was on his way to middle school, was hit when he tried to cross Taft Street at 105th Avenue, according to police.

The victim, who friends identify as Keon Hylton, was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital by Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue Chief Ruben Trontoso. He said the teen had significant injuries.

"I just feel bad for the boy. I just pray to God he will be all right," said Toby Milman.

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The driver of the truck, 51-year old Yemile Toman, was heading east on Taft Street when she hit the teen who was crossing the street to get to his bus stop. Initially she didn't realize what had happened.

"She didn't even realize she had hit anything, she said she sneezed and she realized then, she looked back and saw the boy laying there," said Milman.

Toman stayed on the scene and waited for the police.

"At this point it is too early in the investigation to know whether or not there's going to be any criminal charges or if it was simply an unfortunate and tragic accident," said police Captain Al Xiques.

The 14-year-old, friends say, is an eighth grader at attends Walter C. Young Middle School.

His classmates are hoping the teen, who many described as sensitive and caring, pulls through.

"There's been plenty of times when I'm having a bad day and he'll come up to me and be like, you know, 'what's wrong?', one student said, "and I'll just be able to talk to Keon."

"Knowing that it could happen to all of us it's a bit scary but Keon is a very nice and flexible guy. I know that he can pull through," another student said.

Frustrated area residents said the intersection where the boy was struck is very busy and wonder when the city will look at a permanent solution.

"We need a traffic light here, I don't know why they are pussy-footing around, we've had so many accidents on this corner and it takes something like this, maybe, to wake the mayor and everybody else up," said Milman.

The teen is in critical condition in the intensive pediatric unit of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.