SPRING HILL, Fla. — A 14-year-old boy was killed Tuesday when the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
- Christopher Hunter, 14, killed in crash
- Hunter drove off in parents' car without permission
- Hunter not wearing seat belt at time of crash
- More Hernando County stories
The crash occurred near Laredo Avenue and Danforth Road in Spring Hill. The crash victim, identified as Christopher Hunter, apparently failed to negotiate a curve in the road, went onto the road's shoulder and collided with the tree.
Hunter died at the scene.
According to the agency, the vehicle belonged to the driver's parents, and he took it without their permission.
We spoke to a friend of Hunter's, Bradley Masden, 13, who came to the crash site Tuesday to lay flowers on the tree where his friend crashed. Bradley told us the news of Hunter's death was something he never imagined he'd hear.
"He was a nice kid," Masden said. "He got good grades. I don't know how that happens."
"Horrible, horrible," said Masden's mother, Lupe. "I mean, I think every teenager should learn a lesson by this."