HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A 17-year-old high school student was hit by a vehicle and killed Wednesday in north Harris County, an Aldine Independent School District spokesperson confirmed.
Police were called at about 6:50 a.m. to the area of 4400 Aldine Mail Route near MacArthur High School where the student, identified by family as Jose Torres, was hit.
Students are planning a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night around 7 p.m.
Constables have reached out to the school district to talk about installing safety measures in the wake of the incident.
Aldine ISD officials and the Harris County Sheriff's Office said the school zone lights were flashing at the time of the crash, despite what neighbors were saying.
A crowd funding page has been started by a Houston pastor, here. And the family has created a GoFundMe page, here.
Aldine ISD released the following statement Wednesday:
"This morning one of our MacArthur High School students was struck by a car and killed on his way to school.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.
"Counselors will be available to students and staff to assist them during this difficult time."
Police said a 34-year-old woman was turning into the school to drop off another student when she hit Jose, who was not in the crosswalk.
Investigators believe the woman may have been driving 35 to 40 miles per hour in the 20 mile per hour school zone.
Noami Ibarra said her cousin was an aspiring soccer star & wanted to attend college.
This was Torres' senior year, she said.
"He's literally like my brother, that's what I feel that was taken from me," Ibarra said.
The District Attorney's Office is deciding whether charges will be filed, according to sheriffs.