A Bartow High School student was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Wednesday.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash in the area of South Jackson Ave. and East Pearl Street at 7:15 a.m.
Troopers said a vehicle struck an 18-year-old who attends Bartow High School. He died from his injuries at the site of the crash.
A spokesperson for Polk County Public Schools confirmed the boy attended the school and said counselors are on campus for any students who may need them.
The victim’s family identified him as Zachariah Mark Clabough. His sister said he already had his cap and gown and was getting ready to graduate. He was working at Arby’s to save up for a car.
According to FHP, the adult male driver fled from a minor crash that happened at the high school. The driver left the site of the second crash before police arrived.
Police later found the vehicle, a 2018 Hyundai sedan, at a home in Polk County. Troopers learned the suspected hit-and-run driver left the area in a blue 2017 Ford Fiesta.
The Fiesta’s tag number is 5613UJ. Anyone who sees the car or has information about the incident is asked to call *FHP or Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.