A beloved principal in Pasco County was killed Friday morning in a traffic accident.

  • Adam Kennedy dies in Friday crash
  • Had been principal in Pasco County since January 2015
  • Crisis teams made available to students, co-workers

Adam Kennedy, 46, was the principal at Crews Lake Middle School and had worked for the district almost 18 years.

Trever Deal, 13, was devastated when he heard about his principal’s untimely death. "Everyone is just stunned, and just walking in the hallway you see people crying, teachers upset, everyone just really upset," said Deal.

Deal was one of the 80 plus students who went home after hearing the news but came back with his family to hang a flower wreath and a note.

The crash happened about 6:40 a.m. on State Road 52 and U.S. Highway 41.

Troopers said Kennedy was traveling westbound on SR 52 behind a logging truck.

The driver of the logging truck slowed to make a right turn, and Kennedy's vehicle failed to stop in time to avoid colliding with the rear of the truck, authorities said.

Kennedy's vehicle left the road and collided with a fence. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Kennedy worked his way up to principal in 2015. Parents say it was because of his dedication.

"He was good with her (granddaughter), we had lots of meetings, he cares a lot for all the children, the disabled children and autistic children," said Candace Schwan, grandmother of Deal and his sister.

So dedicated that Friday morning Kennedy wasn’t even supposed to be coming to work. "He had the day off today because it's his wife's birthday, but he was coming in to meet with a parent," said District Spokeswoman Linda Cobbe. "It just makes it even more tragic. "It just illustrates his dedication and devotion to his school."

There was proof in the letters children from the school wrote all Friday for his wife and two children.

"Rest in peace Mr. Kennedy, you're a great man," Deal said. It was a sentiment felt not just by the Crews Lake Middle School Community but by all those Kennedy touched.

Crisis teams were at both Crews Lake and Weightman Middle Schools where he also taught for 10 years.