Family names student killed outside MacArthur High School

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A 17-year-old student is dead after he was struck by a vehicle this morning outside MacArthur High School.

We're getting our first look now at the victim, identified by family as Jose Torres.

Aldine ISD school officials say Torres died after he was hit by the vehicle while walking to school.

Torres lives in the apartment complex across the street from MacArthur. Officials say he was trying to cross five lanes when he was struck by a female driver going at around 35 or 40 miles per hour.

At this time, the woman driving the truck has not been charged.

The speed limit on Aldine Mail Route Road is 20 miles per hour when school is in session. But several neighbors say the lights alerting driver to the speed limit change don't flash.

Neighbors also complain the nearest crosswalks are located at the intersections -- not in front of the apartment complex where many students live. That's approximately a third of a mile out of the way from the entrance of the school.

Torres' cousin, Noami Ibarra, said the family is still in shock. She described the 17-year-old as a goofy kid who loved soccer and was ready to graduate high school.

"I'm never going to let him go. I'm going to live for him. I'm going to live for him," said Ibarra.

"They're in disbelief that this could happen," said Jaime Garcia, a local pastor who came to help. "That this could happen here across from where he lives... I mean, he literally just crossed the street. This is so tragic."

Right now, the Torres family is working to set up a gofundme account.

This is sadly not the first time we've told you about a death like this.

Last year, a female student going to MacArthur was killed attempting to cross a road in the area.

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