Parents and students react to Parkland Middle School student struck and killed by vehicle

Students and parents at Parkland Middle School were shocked and devastated when they heard about a student being struck and killed while trying to cross Loop 375.

Throughout the afternoon parents were allowed to pick their children up early and some told ABC-7 crews about the experience.

“I just went to the field and saw people running over there and the officers started going over there,” said Parkland Middle School student Daniela Ramirez.

Ramirez and seventh grader Emerson Garcia told ABC-7 what they saw once the students were allowed out for a organized walkout.

“I stood for a good two minutes and then we had a rush of kids just run to this stone wall and just start jumping over. It was like a swarm of kids started jumping the wall,” Garcia said.

District officials had anticipated the walkout and tried to be proactive allowing the kids to walk out and assemble on the football field.

Administration added extra staff to cover the event and security stood by at the front and back of the school but a group of 12 to 15 kids left the campus.

Garcia said it seemed like it only took a few minutes for them to learn that Jonathan Benko was struck and killed.

“I walked into my classroom for about five minutes and my teacher actually banged his hands on the table and screamed out ‘someone got hit and ran out the classroom crying’,” Garcia said.

“It’s sad because they are from Parkland. We care about our students,” Ramirez said.

Garcia said the news was devastating for everyone.

“I just started bawling my eyes out. Just not knowing who it was I felt that … because I saw a couple kids I knew jumped over, I thought that it was them so I started crying and we all felt the pain,” Garcia said.

Some parents feel the district should look into changing policies when it comes to events like the walkout.

“I think the kids young to be protesting outside,” said Theresa Garcia.

As students gathered for a candlelight vigil, Garcia put the incident into perspective for many.

“Life is precious. Some people’s life just get cut short. We have to live like this is going to be our last day on Earth,” Garcia said.