Riley Rawlins, a 17-year old junior at Lake Highlands High School was struck and killed at about 3:30 p.m. last Saturday near the light at Royal Lane and Audelia.

Witnesses told police that Rawlins was preparing to cross Royal, standing in the right lane of traffic when a speeding beige ’95 Lincoln struck him; He hit the windshield, rolled over the top of the car and was dragged behind the car for about 400 feet before the driver stopped. He was transported to Baylor where he died from his injuries.

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The driver told officers at the scene that she was en route to work and was trying to beat the yellow light. She was in the middle lane but swerved into the right lane to avoid a vehicle that was already stopped in the middle lane at said light. She estimated she was driving about 70 miles per hour when she hit the teenager. That’s double the speed limit there. The driver, whose name I don’t yet have, was driving with no driver’s license and, as typically follows, no insurance. She told police that getting a driver’s license is too expensive, according to police reports.

Rawlins loved being outside, camping and he planned to join the Marines after high school. He leaves behind mom, Monica, stepfather, Chris Buntenbah and sisters Gillian Rawlins and Lauren Buntenbah.

From the Sparkman Funeral Home: A celebration of Riley’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 14 at Sparkman Funeral Home in Richardson. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Riley’s honor, reflecting his love of animals, to the ASPCA or to the East Lake Pet Orphanage at elpo.org.