UPDATE: Red-light violations common at 'high frequency crash area' where teen was killed
Denny Grahovic, the Sandalwood High School senior who was killed by a red-light runner in Jacksonville, tweeted “Seatbelt warnings are smart for cars … be safe” less than two hours before he died on Thursday.
Grahovic was waiting to turn left onto St. Johns Bluff when he was struck by a Nissan minivan driven at a high rate of speed by a woman who ran the red light, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Sandalwood senior killed at intersection in 'high frequency crash area'
“Seatbelt warnings are smart for cars. You could just be driving and someone else could be the dumbass. Be safe,” Grahovic tweeted.
The tweet had nearly 300 retweets less than 24 hours after the crash, many of them from fellow high school students. Sandalwood High had grief counselors on hand Friday to help students cope with the loss.
Just five days ago, Grahovic also tweeted: “If i die, get a tattoo of a realistic full moon. Thats how i wanna be remembered.”
Grahovic had a 16-year-old female passenger in the car with him. She was seriously injured in the crash. JSO has not updated her condition.
PHOTOS: Four-car crash closes Beach at St. Johns Bluff
The 39-year-old woman who is accused of running the red light and hitting Grahovic’s car has not been identified. She was also seriously injured and transported from the scene, which closed traffic at the busy intersection for hours.
Grahovic’s classmates had placed a sign at the scene by Friday morning saying “Once a Saint, always a Saint. We will miss you Denny.”
Linda Arrington, who was involved in the crash but was not injured, had a message for that driver who ran the red light: “You need to pay attention when you’re on the road. This could have potentially killed all of the people including myself. It’s frightening.”
According to JSO's traffic homicide unit, drugs and alcohol were not involved. The investigation is ongoing.
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