Boca Raton High School Graduate Killed in Tragic Crash Hours After Ceremony

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A celebratory evening turned tragic when 18-year-old Hendry Aceituno Gudiño, a recent graduate of Boca Raton Community High School, lost his life in a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 just hours after his graduation ceremony. The accident occurred on Saturday, May 17, near the Martin Highway exit.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Gudiño was returning home from a celebratory dinner with his girlfriend and her father when the 52-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle, colliding with a guardrail. Both the driver and Gudiño were pronounced dead at the scene. Gudiño’s 16-year-old girlfriend survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Gudiño and his mother, Anielka Gudiño, had relocated from Venezuela to Florida in 2023, seeking better opportunities. Anielka described her son as kind, hardworking, and full of love. “It’s a tragic death and I think nobody deserves to die like that,” she said. “Very painful. Everything is painful. A teen full of life, 18 years old. He had a whole life ahead of him.”

In response to the tragedy, Boca Raton Community High School has offered counseling services on campus to help students and staff cope with the loss. Dr. Suzanne King, the school’s principal, addressed parents in an emotional email, emphasizing the importance of community support during this difficult time. “We are a community that supports one another. Together, we will navigate this difficult time,” she wrote.

A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Gudiño’s family with funeral expenses and to alleviate financial pressures during this challenging period. The community has rallied around the family, offering condolences and support.

As the investigation into the crash continues, Gudiño’s mother urges others to drive responsibly. “Be cautious. Drive responsibly. Be careful,” she said. “It’s not only your life, but it’s also the people with you.”