BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas – Students at Manvel High School are mourning the loss of their classmate who was killed in an auto-pedestrian crash on Highway 6 in Brazoria County Monday morning.
Student Alex Gaytan told KHOU, "It's a big tragedy. Our prayers go out to the family."
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 18-year old De'Monte Benn died after being hit by a car while walking eastbound on state Highway 6 in Iowa Colony. It happened just before 7 a.m. near Louisiana Street, a residential street nearly 5 miles from Manvel High School, where Benn was a student.
Benn was pronounced dead at the scene.
The school principal, Dr. Bobby Martinez, released a statement to students and parents saying Benn was a beloved member of the community.
"This is an extremely difficult time for those that knew and cared for him," said Martinez.
Gaytan called it a sad day for the entire student body.
"There were grief counselors trying to help us all, trying to calm us down," said Gaytan.
The driver of the Dodge was identified as Terry Cropper, 57, of Rosharon.
This crash remains under investigation and further details are not available at this time.