LAKE STEVENS — A 17-year-old Lake Stevens boy died Tuesday morning after being struck by a car.
The crash happened just after 6 a.m. on Highway 9 near Hillcrest Elementary School and Fourth Street SE, Lake Stevens Police Chief Dan Lorentzen said.
The teen’s name was not released pending an autopsy by the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.
He was a former Lake Stevens student who for the past three years had attended Crossroads, the alternative high school in Granite Falls. Two younger siblings attend schools in Lake Stevens, officials said.
The Granite Falls School District found out about the death Tuesday morning, and a team of counselors were made available to students and staff, spokeswoman EB Holderman said.
“Crossroads’ staff have been in regular contact with the family and will continue to offer support,” Holderman said. “Staff are currently working to arrange a fundraiser to help with meals for the family and for the memorial service costs. There are no details to share regarding a service at this time.”
Parents of students affected by the death should keep them on their regular schedules and keep an eye out for signs of grief, Holderman said.
“We are all very saddened by this tragic loss,” she said. “Please keep the family in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
The boy was walking alone across Highway 9 when he was struck by a northbound car, Lorentzen said. There are no crosswalks in that area.
The driver was a Monroe-area man in his early 40s, in a silver Chevrolet Cobalt. He stayed at the scene and cooperated with police, Lorentzen said.
“We do not suspect any impairment, but that is still part of the investigation,” the chief said.
Detectives spoke with multiple witnesses who said they saw the boy crossing from the west side of the highway, Lorentzen said.
Lake Stevens and Marysville detectives are conducting the investigation. The highway was closed for hours while they collected evidence.
Tuesday was the first day of school at Crossroads.
Aside from a vague post on Twitter, the police department for hours did not notify the public that a teen had been killed. No information was released until late afternoon, after word of the death began spreading on social media.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
A spaghetti feed fundraiser for the boy’s family is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Eagles club, 402 N. Granite Ave., Granite Falls.
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