Washington-Lee Student Dies Following Skateboard Crash

An 18-year-old senior who attended Washington-Lee High School and the Arlington Career Center died Tuesday afternoon after crashing his skateboard.

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Police were called to the 300 block of South Highland Street at 12:36 p.m.

The student had been hanging on to the driver's side of a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old junior when he lost balance and fell to the ground, Arlington police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck told Patch.

The two were leaving the career center, Sternbeck said.

Responders found the boy in cardiac arrest and medics began performing CPR. He was taken to George Washington University Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.

Investigators aren't sure whether the blow to the head caused the fatal injury or if he was injured by the truck, Sternbeck said.

The driver remained on the scene, and charges are pending against him, according to police. Sternbeck wasn't sure if the boy would be charged as an adult.

Washington-Lee High School's graduation is set for June 20.

Arlington Career Center Principal Nancy Opsut, in an email to parents, called the victim "a very talented young man."

"The student involved was an incredible young man who contributed positively in many ways to our school and lives," Washington-Lee Principal Gregg Robertson said in a separate email to parents. "The upcoming days will be difficult ones as we will be missing him and providing support to our Washington-Lee family."

Arlington Public Schools spokesman Frank Bellavia said counselors will be at both Washington-Lee and the career center until 6 p.m. Tuesday, all day Wednesday and as long as students need them.