Gulf Shores students mourn loss of classmate

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WALA) - Tragedy struck in Gulf Shores this weekend as a fourteen year-old boy is struck and killed by a car.

Hunter Hale-Sorensen was a popular student and there has been an outpouring of emotion over his death.

Tragedy spurs social outpouring

Friends of Hunter Hale-Sorensen have been on Twitter all day saying goodbye. One Facebook a memorial page has already garnered hundreds of likes.

Hunter died while skateboarding with some friends at a condo off Perdido Beach Boulevard Sunday afternoon.

According to police, Hunter was coming down the parking garage ramp at Escapes condos. He was carrying too much speed and he ended up several feet out into the highway.

That’s where he was struck and killed by a 47 year-old man driving an SUV. Police are calling it an accident; no charges have been filed against the driver.

Orange Beach Police Chief, Billy Wilkins said, “The driver didn’t appear to be impaired in any way. The speed appeared to be normal.”

High school in mourning

At Gulf Shores High Monday, where Hunter was a freshman, an assembly in his memory was held. Principal, Dr. Ernie Rosado, said the students responded with an impromptu moment of silence for Hunter.

“Nobody moved in the gym,” Dr. Rosado said. “Over 800 students in the gym and over three or four minutes everyone was just still and remembering Hunter.”

Dr. Rosado told us after the moment of silence the students gathered on the gym floor to share hugs and sob. He says the outpouring of emotion showed how well-liked Hunter was.

“Great kid, students enjoyed being around him, teachers enjoyed being around him and he’s going to be missed,” Dr. Rosado said.

It was a tragic end to a young life, but as many said on Twitter, Hunter will continue to “#FlyHigh”.