Off-Duty Boston Police Officer Struck, Killed Milton Student

MILTON (CBS) -- Grief counselors were on hand at Milton Public High School Thursday to help students cope with the tragic death of an 18-year-old girl after she was struck and killed by an SUV at Brush Hill and Aberdeen Roads in Milton Wednesday--just two blocks from her home.

Massachusetts State Police identified the girl as Katelisa Etienne, a senior at Milton High who was on track to graduate this June.

Police said Etienne was crossing Aberdeen Road around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday when a Jeep Wrangler driven by 44-year-old Warren Hoppie of Hyde Park hit her.

In a statement, the Boston Police Department confirmed that Hoppie is a sergeant who was off-duty at the time of the crash.

"Sergeant Hoppie is 20-year veteran of the Boston Police Department currently assigned to Area E-5 in West Roxbury. He is deeply saddened about the tragic accident and is cooperating fully with the ongoing State Police investigation," police said.

Police said the Jeep swerved into the median in an attempt to avoid her. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police, and is not facing any charges at this time.

Etienne was taken to Boston Medical Center, where she later died.

"My prayers my condolences go out to the parents and the family," Shakeel Bashir, a parent of a Milton High School student said Thursday.

The loss of an 18-year-old is hitting this community hard.

"Being a senior in high school you have so much to look forward to in life, I just can't imagine what the parents are going through this morning," Bashir said.

Police said the investigation into the crash remains ongoing.