POOLK COUNTY, Fla. — Family and friends gathered Friday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven to remember 16-year-old Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, a student killed earlier this week in a school bus crash in Polk County.
The crash happened Monday morning on Lucerne Park Road as 37 students were headed to Winter Haven High School. Investigators said a Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line and struck the bus, sending it into oncoming traffic, where it collided head-on with a Jeep before overturning.
Adinaluz and the Jeep’s driver, 26-year-old Deshawn Smith, were killed.
One funeral attendee, Luz Miriam Lon, said the tragedy hit close to home because Lon is a mother and grandmother of three children who attend school. Lon said that was one reason for attending the funeral: to support the family as they cope with their loss.
Friends remembered Adinaluz as loyal, loving and kind. They said Monday was supposed to be the teenager’s first cheerleading practice.
Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid described Adinaluz as a bright student.
“We had the opportunity to return her belongings last night to the parents,” Heid said. “That was the most difficult conversation I’ve ever had to have with the family.”
Heid said the loss has been felt throughout the school community.
“When you lose a student, when you lose a faculty member, it resonates deeply with everyone,” Heid said.
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