Florida teen killed in car crash after graduating high school

A celebration of a milestone quickly turned to mourning a life gone too soon.

Eighteen-year-old Dustin Gulsby was killed in a crash over the weekend, right after graduating from Riverdale High School on Saturday.

Dustin was riding a motorcycle when he crashed into a car at the intersection of State Road 82 and Sunshine Boulevard.

His aunt, Kristi Gulsby, said his family was proud of him.

“He was just a sweet kid,” Gulsby said, “such a good head on his shoulders, always there to help his friends out.”

Gulsby said he was passionate about anything with a motor.

“He was just a motorhead,” Gulsby said. “He liked to play in the cars and the motorcycles and street bikes, and he’s had, you know, like I said, toys growing up his whole life.”

It was when he was riding his motorcycle, Sunday night, that Florida Highway Patrol said he collided with a car near the intersection of State Road 82 and Sunshine Boulevard.

Dustin died at the scene, and his family said it has shattered their world.

“I’ve never felt this much pain,” Gulsby said. “I’m angry, angry that this happened to him.”

This isn’t the first serious crash to happen at this intersection.

Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Greg Bueno has spoken out against dangers like street racing and speeding on State Road 82 before.

“It’s certainly prevalent, and it’s concerning because State Route 82 is a community roadway. We have school buses on that road, bicycles, pedestrians,” Bueno said.

Now, as Dustin’s family grieves his loss, they want everyone to know what a special person he was.

“Never got in trouble, never angry, never seen him upset or mad,” Gulsby said. “It’s just– it’s hard to believe. It’s hard to accept.”