HOUSTON – A Klein Forest High School student died in a car wreck on the way to his graduation Saturday morning.
The accident happened at 7:10 a.m. in the 2000 block of the 45 North Freeway, according to the Houston Police Department.
Police said a black Honda Prelude was driving southbound on the North Freeway when the driver veered out of the lane for unknown reasons and hit the rear of a dump truck.
Investigators said at the same time a black Chevy Suburban veered in front of the dump truck and was struck.
Officials said the driver of the Honda was taken to Ben Taub Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Police said the driverhad no signs of being intoxicated, but the case remains under investigation.
An 18-year-old passenger in the Prelude was pronounced dead at the scene.
No charges have been filed and the victim has not been identified at this time.
The driver of the Suburban was transported to St. Joseph Hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.
Ashley Villanueva graduated from Klein Forest Saturday.
"Words cannot describe losing someone your age," she said.
Villanueva said word of the accident spread before the start of the ceremony at NRG Stadium, but no one knew that one of the graduates was involved, and even worse, killed.
"It's just saddening to know that somebody from your class died today. It could have been anybody," she said.
Klein Independent School District released a statement that read in part: "The Klein ISD family is grief stricken and wishes to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of this student. We are praying for the student's family and the Klein Forest family as they begin to work through the healing from this great loss."
The Klein Forest High School graduation was held at 9 a.m. Saturday at NRG Stadium.
Klein ISD posted a message on Twitter notifying students and faculty of a vigil at 7 p.m. Sunday at Klein Forest in memory of the student who died.