Vigil held for teen killed in crash outside of Volusia County high school

A vigil was held Monday night for a 15-year-old boy killed in a head-on crash, while turning into the entrance of a Volusia County high school earlier in the day.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said that Joshua T. Durner was traveling eastbound around 6:50 a.m. in a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. He was turning into the entrance of Pine Ridge High School in Deltona, when a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder hit the Elantra. A 2015 Nissan pickup, which was behind the Pathfinder, was unable to avoid the crash.

Durner lost his life in the crash, the Sheriff's Office confirmed. He was the only passenger in the vehicle and was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt.

The Pathfinder, driven by 34-year-old Dayana Garcia, was carrying an adult male passenger and two children, ages three and one, according to the Sheriff's Office. The children were not injured. Garcia is being evaluated for a hip injury. Her passenger, 33-year-old Angelo Rodriguez, was admitted to the Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach for non-life-threteaning injuries.

The Nissan pickup involved in the crash was driven by 63-year-old Francisco Pinto, who also had a minor back injury and was taken to the AdventHealth Fish Memorial Hospital in Orange City.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash, but no charges or traffic citations are pending at this time.

Hundreds attended the vigil organized by the West Volusia Athletic Club. Durner was a promising player for the Junior Baseball Rays. At the vigil, friends and coaches said he was best known for stealing bases. 

“He worked his butt off to get better every single day to the point that this was his passion. He loved playing baseball,” said his dad. 

The ceremony ended with songs and the release of a balloon shaped in the number four, which was Durner’s Jersey number.

Grief counselors will be at Pine Ridge High School for any students who need assistance.