“Earlier this morning I was notified of the tragic death of one of our
students,” Becky Watson, principal of East River, announced in a statement
this week. “I know I speak for our entire East River High community when
I express the grief felt at the loss of one of our own.”
She added the sentiments, “My thoughts and prayers are with this student’s
family and friends as they go through this extremely difficult time.”
Miner, who was in his final year of high school, reportedly pulled his truck
over and stopped to help another driver in need of assistance. However,
the driver of a Honda Insight “failed to observe” the teenager’s white Ford
F-150 on the boulevard and struck it. The Florida Highway Patrol reported
that Miner flew from his truck and died in the collision. The driver of the
Honda currently awaits charges as the investigation continues.
Nick Miner’s close family and friends discuss the tragic loss of life
Miner was attempting to help two women who were stranded on the side
of the road. They were also involved in the collision and taken to Orlando
Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. According to
Miner’s teammate Cole Strawder, “Nick was like the leader of the
brotherhood…He went out doing what he was always doing. Helping
people out and being a leader.”
“I don’t think I’m ever going to get that picture out of my head,” Miner’s
father, Derek, said to reporters after the incident. “Of my baby boy stuck
under that truck. We’re all broken, we’re all lost, we’re in shock right now.”
“I ran over so fast to him. And I saw him pinned under that car. And his
friends were there,” the father continued. “We were trying to lift it up, and we couldn’t do anything.”
