CHARLOTTE, N.C. – An Olympic High School student was hit and killed by a car in Steele Creek Tuesday morning.
According to the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, officers responded to a crash on Buckthorne Ridge Lane near Youngblood Road a little after 6 a.m. When they arrived, the officers found 15-year-old Zoe Alana Deen had been struck by a 2017 Nissan Murano.
Medic pronounced Deen dead at the scene.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools confirmed the victim was a student at Olympic High School.
Following an investigation, CMPD determined the driver of the Nissan Murano was traveling east on Youngblood Road towards Capps Road. Deen was crossing Youngblood Road towards Buckthorne Ridge Lane and was struck by the vehicle.
Officials said Deen was crossing Youngblood Road to catch up to her school bus.
A woman whose son was on a bus headed to Olympic High witnessed the event. He allegedly told his mother that Deen missed her first bus stop and was running to catch the bus at the next stop when she was struck.
CMPD said the roadway where the incident occurred does not have any overhead street lights, has no crosswalks, no pedestrians signals and the pedestrian was not wearing any clothing that was reflective.
"This is something we've complained about," a mother on scene told NBC Charlotte. The mother said she and other parents have complained to the school board that Youngblood Road is too dark and needs more lights.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this time," CMS said in a statement Tuesday morning. "Counseling support is available to students at the school this morning."
Officials said speed does not appear to be a contributing factor in the crash.
CMPD released the driver's identity, however, NBC Charlotte is not including that information in our story as the driver has not been charged in this investigation thus far.
Here is the full statement from CMS:
"Across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district and throughout the community, our hearts are heavy and we extend our deepest sympathies to family, friends, loved ones and staff affected after the tragic loss of one of our students following an accident early this morning.
"Counseling and grief support for the family and for the school community have been and will remain available. Families and parents are asked to maintain a careful watch of students and to reach out to any CMS staff member for emotional and mental health support.
"Student and staff safety are always a top priority for the district. CMS and CMPD are cooperatively investigating events from this morning in order to gain clear understanding of this incident and to inform a review of bus stop and transportation safety procedures. The district asks families, parents, students and all staff to exercise caution and to keep safety top of mind when awaiting transportation to school and back home, as well as while traveling, during each school day.
"Our students embody our community’s hopes for the future and we join together today and in the coming weeks to offer comfort, support and sympathy during this difficult time."