MacArthur HS students cope with the loss of a classmate, Jose Torres

HOUSTON, TX - "I can't really believe that he's actually gone," said a classmate and friend of Jose Torres. Students at MacArthur High School are mourning the loss of their classmate, 17-year-old Jose Torres.  Torres was struck and killed while walking to school on Wednesday morning across a busy and dangerous stretch of road on Aldine Mail Route. Torres was actually walking to school from the La Quinta apartment complex right next door.

Counselors are on hand this morning to help the students cope with the loss of their friend and classmate. Students, friends and family held a candlelight vigil last night in memory of Torres.

Apparently, several students cross Aldine Mail Route on their walk to school every day. According to neighbors, it’s impossible to cross this road without officer assistance in such heavy traffic. Residents who live across the street from MacArthur High School complain that the road is too dangerous to cross. One student who lives at the apartments and crosses Aldine Mail Route every day said, "Yes, some of the cars don't follow the rules...It's dangerous."