Cheerleader Killed In Horrific Bus Crash As Tragic Details Emerge

October 8, 2026, 4:32pm EST 127 • By Arnab Mondal

Cheerleader with a bright future was gone in an instant.

A 16-year-old girl named Adinaluz Prieto Oyola died Monday in a terrible three-car crash involving her school bus in Winter Haven, Florida. She was a sophomore at Winter Haven High School and was really excited to attend her very first cheerleading practice that day.

Click for sound 0:00 / 0:00 The crash happened around 6:13 a.m. on October 5, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Oyola was on the bus with other students when a Chevy Malibu crossed the center line and hit them.

The hit pushed the bus into a silver Jeep. Two people died in the crash, including Oyola.

The school bus carried 39 people, including 37 high school students. The crash caused huge damage to the bus and ripped off one of its tires.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described the crash while explaining what happened next.

“It also appears to have ripped the tire off of the school bus,” Judd said. “The school bus then crossed over the westbound lane of traffic and hit a silver Jeep head-on.”

The crash has left Winter Haven High School grieving the loss of a young student who had much ahead of her.

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REST IN PEACE: Adinaluz “Luz” Prieto Oyola was just 16 years old when she was killed in the Winter Haven bus crash on Monday. https://t.co/MFkq7HEyMC https://t.co/ACrY6BsfBg

Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid spoke about Oyola on Tuesday. He said teachers and friends loved her.

“An amazing young lady in every account,” Heid said. “Teachers loved her. Friends loved her.”

Heid also said school officials returned Oyola’s belongings to her parents.

“We had the opportunity to return her belongings last night to the parents,” he said.

Heid said the conversation with Oyola’s family affected him deeply. He has worked as a superintendent for 14 years and has dealt with many tragedies during that time.

“I can tell you in 14 years of being a superintendent, and having dealt with countless tragedies over the years, that was the most difficult conversation I’ve ever had with a family,” Heid said.

Oyola’s death has left her friends, teachers, and family members facing a painful loss. She had planned to begin cheerleading and start a new chapter at Winter Haven High School. Instead, the crash ended her life far too soon.