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A Frisco high school student riding a bicycle was struck and killed by a car near Roach Middle School in Frisco on Wednesday morning — the district’s first day of class, police said.
According to McKinney police, the crash occurred about 5:30 a.m. near Independence Parkway and George Washington Drive on the Frisco-McKinney border just outside the school.
Police said a 15-year-old boy was attempting to cross Independence Parkway when he was hit. The driver stopped and tried to render aid, police said, but the teen died from his injuries.
Frisco Heritage High School’s head football coach Kenneth Gilchrist confirmed to The Dallas Morning News the student was sophomore Landon Bourque.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Landon,” Gilchrist said. “He was an extremely hard-working young man and incredible teammate who didn’t care about the spotlight and always strived to help the Coyotes have success. His dedication and unselfishness made everyone better around him and we will remember him as the young man who always had a smile on his face.”
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No additional information was immediately available, including whether speed was a factor in the crash. Police were continuing to investigate, and it was unclear whether any charges would be filed.
“My heart goes out to the grieving family,” Rep. Michael Burgess, who represents the nearby 26th Congressional District, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This is a devastating reminder of the importance of being a vigilant driver. As kids head back to school across #TX26, please remember to drive around schools and neighborhoods with extra caution.”
Memorial takes shape
Early Wednesday afternoon, a cross was planted near where the teen’s bike was found at the intersection. A few yards away, a small vase filled with red flowers was placed near the road.
Several people came by to set down flowers next to the cross, while others took a knee to pray.
Chris Gray, 50, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 20 years, said speeding on Independence Parkway has been a point of concern for many residents, adding that as the county grows northward, more and more motorists are using the road as a thoroughfare.
”As you can see here, people are just flying by us,” Gray said, standing just feet from where the crash occurred. “This is a tragedy. This should not happen.”
Near the intersection, the speed limit slows from 45 mph to 40 mph, but people who live along Independence Parkway said they see motorists driving much faster than that.
Casey Bates, 38, said he frequently walks his dogs along Independence and often hears loud engine noises and sees cars speeding down the road. He was nearby when police vehicles started arriving at the intersection early Wednesday, he said.
”I know there is a speeding problem around here, and nobody has done anything about it, and now here we are,” he said.
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Naresh Parajuli, 49, who also lives nearby, said he often hears people speeding down the road. Parajuli said he had been thinking about buying his daughter, who is in 10th grade and attends the Heritage High, a bicycle so she can take herself to school.
He is reconsidering following the crash.
‘An emotional day’
Shortly before 4 p.m., as students were released from Roach Middle School roughly 10 hours after the crash, a heavy police presence was visible at multiple intersections near the school and Independence Parkway.
McKinney police officers served as crossing guards for students, with dozens of parents waiting for children on the east side of the street to greet them with tearful hugs and kisses.
Jaiden James, a junior at Heritage High School, said he was on the football team and knew Bourque. He described Bourque as “a fun guy to be around” who enjoyed swimming and playing sports at the park.
”You know, usual teenager stuff,” James said.
He and other members of the high school football team gathered in the auditorium with coaches and got a chance to talk about the incident, James said.
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”We didn’t want to believe it at first, but then we started seeing the reports, that’s when it got to us,” he said. “It was an emotional day.”
Gina Hassanpour, a senior, said many students, including some of her friends, were visibly upset because of the crash, adding they were aware of ongoing issues with speeding on Independence Parkway.
”This year they’ve gotten a lot more serious about it,” she said. “There have been a lot more cops out there during school time, especially in the mornings.”
School officials announced that they would offer counseling to anyone affected by the teen’s death, Hassanpour said. A Frisco ISD spokesperson also confirmed that any Heritage High School students who left early were granted excused absences.
‘Nobody is watching’
While waiting to pick up her child from Heritage High School, Jen Medeiros said it is “disgusting” how fast some people drive on Independence Parkway, a north-south road just east of the high school. The school’s south entrance is on six-lane Eldorado Parkway.
Medeiros said she thinks the district needs to do more to ensure the safety of students who have activities before and after the school day.
“School zones are important, but they do no good for the kids who come to school at 6 a.m. for sports,” Medeiros said. “Nobody is watching those kids cross streets.”
Bourque’s death comes after several other fatal crashes involving children around North Texas.
Last month, 14-year-old Adrien Villegas was fatally struck by a car while riding his bike to his high school orientation in The Colony. On Thursday, a 12-year-old girl died after being struck by a pickup in Southlake.