17-year-old boy hit, killed by van while walking to school

AUBURNDALE, Fla. — A 17-year-old boy walking to school was hit and killed in Polk County Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Enrique Hernandez of Auburndale was on his way to Tenoroc High School when he was struck by a green Dodge Caravan on Old Dixie Hwy near US Hwy 92 West, deputies said.

Investigators said the driver, Prakesh Patel of Lakeland, 50, tried to swerve in an attempt to avoid hitting Hernandez, but could not, and then landed in a ditch.
Patel stopped and tried to help Hernandez, officials said.

Deputies said impairment and speed did not appear to be a factor.

There are no streetlights or sidewalks along that stretch of the roadway, and it was dark at the time of the crash, deputies said.

WFTV