Our most-read story this week just tears at my heart.
We had written a few weeks ago about an 18-year-old from Englewood who had died on I-75. Then we learned more about him and wrote about his impact on the community.
That story was read and shared tens of thousands of times.
The article is about Spencer Stephens, who was a Lemon Bay High School theater student, community volunteer, member of the Manta Band and the schoolâs 2019 Homecoming King.
On Sunday, Nov. 29, just after 8:30 p.m., there had been a crash on northbound Interstate 75 near Palmetto, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report. Stephens was outside his vehicle and trying to cross the interstate when he was struck by a pickup whose driver was trying to avoid the backed-up traffic.