14-year-old boy hit and killed in Hurricane identified


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HURRICANE — A teenager died after being hit by a pickup truck. The driver told police he reached for food just prior to the crash, police said.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the area of 550 South and 700 West at 10:47 p.m. Wednesday, according to Sgt. Brandon Buell of the Hurricane City Police Department.

According to investigators, four juveniles were walking south on 700 West when a northbound Toyota Tacoma drifted to the side of the road, Buell said in a news release. Three of the pedestrians got out of the way but the pickup hit the fourth juvenile — 14-year-old Gavin Pryor, who attended Hurricane Middle School. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators said the point of impact was about 6 feet from the curb, Buell said.

The 26-year-old man driving the pickup told police he had reached for food inside the vehicle just prior to the crash.

"This is a reminder of the importance of constantly paying attention while driving and using a sidewalk when walking," Buell said in the release. "It only takes seconds for a life-altering incident to take place. Our hearts go out to the families involved."

"He was really nice and always smiling, and he never had anything negative to say about anyone. He was always reaching out to people," said Pryor's friend, Faith Johnson. "Just standing here, (knowing) that he is gone, is horrible."

Hurricane police released the following statement:

"This is a very tragic situation for a 14-year-old to lose his life. This is a reminder of the importance of constantly paying attention while driving and using a sidewalk when walking; it only takes seconds for a life altering incident to take place. Our hearts go out to the families involved."

The incident closed 700 West for about six hours.

Updates will be posted as they become available.

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Linda Williams

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