According to police, Gail Hood was on crutches and was trying to cross five lanes of traffic when she was struck by an SUV near the corner of Cleveland Avenue and Belcher Drive, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.

The crash occurred shortly before 7 a.m.

Hood, 19,  was pronounced dead a short time later.

SLIDESHOW: Images From Scene

Officers at the scene said Hood  was not in a crosswalk when she was struck, Seavert reported.

"Her boyfriend stays across the street, she left her boyfriend's house across the street and next thing you know you her boyfriend heard a loud boom and came outside and she was on the ground," said Hood's brother Michael Ford.

At age 19, Hood was working to overcome challenges and working toward her high school diploma.
 "She was an individual that was definitely striving to do the best she can," said Whetstone principal Amy Dennis. "We will remember her, even at graduation."

Both lanes of Cleveland Avenue were shut down while police investigated the crash. 

The road was reopened shortly after 8:30 a.m.

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