Classmates Mourn Berkmar High Student Agustin Cortes Killed in Hit and Run

DULUTH, Ga. - Students at Berkmar High School are moing the death of a fellow student. Agustin Cortes, 17, of Lawrenceville was hit and killed on Tuesday night on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth. The driver who hit the teen did not stop, and police are still searching for that person.

Thursday was a sad day for many Berkmar High School, where Cortes was a student. A spokesman said grief counselors were there to help students who were moing Cortes’ loss. The junior was remembered as being friendly and kind, and he had a love for music.

Investigators say a car hit Cortes on Tuesday night on Pleasant Hill Road near Gwinnett Place Drive. That’s not in front of the school, but instead very near Gwinnett Place Mall.

According to police, the vehicle involved was a tan or brown passenger car, and it was headed west on Pleasant Hill Road toward Duluth. Witnesses said the tag included ”555 but were only able to give police a partial number.

Authorities say Cortes had a skateboard and an iPod on him at the time of the accident. Police aren't clear if he was on the skateboard or wearing earphones. They say Cortes was attempting cross through the middle of the street and not at an intersection crosswalk.

Traffic is normally heavy along Pleasant Hill Road in front of Berkmar High School. Nobody knows the danger of crossing the road that connects the school better than the kids and their parents. In order to get to the school, children have to cross five lanes of traffic.

Students at the high school told FOX 5 they try to be careful when walking along the road and remain aware of the car around them. Others said they try to abide by the crossing signs to stay safe.

Police continue to search for the hit and run driver. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle or its driver is encouraged to call the Gwinnett County Police Accident Investigation Unit Tip Line at (770) 338-7430, extension 5670.