Lake Placid High School Students Bo Ward, 18, And His Girlfriend, Kaidence Ruelas, 17, Died In A Rollover Crash

The avoidable, tragic deaths of the bright teenage high school athletes have left the Lake Placid community in heavy grief and deep mourning.

Bo Ward, 18, and his girlfriend, Kaidence Ruelas, 17, both seniors at Lake Placid High School in Florida, tragically lost their lives in a rollover crash on February 8, 2025.

The accident has left their families, friends, and the Lake Placid community heartbroken as they mourn the loss of two young lives full of promise and potential.

The accident occurred when Ward’s pickup truck was struck by another vehicle on US-27 and Lake Josephine Drive in Sebring, Florida.

The collision caused Ward’s truck to flip several times and eject the two teenagers, resulting in the deaths of both Ward and Ruelas later in the hospital.

It was reported that neither Bo nor Kaidence were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

The investigation is ongoing, and detailed reports have yet to be released.

Lake Placid High School confirmed that the pair were a couple.

Bo Ward Was A Standout High School Swimmer

Bo Ward was an active member of the Lake Placid High School swim team during his freshman and sophomore years.

He followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Zach, who swam all four years.

Bo preferred distance swimming events, such as the 200 and 300 meter races, while many of his teammates focused on sprint events.

Bo was described as a “big guy,” standing at least 5 feet 11 inches tall, even as a freshman.

Despite his size, he was known for being gentle and quiet, and he maintained close relationships with his teammates.

Even after he stopped competing, Bo stayed connected with the swim team, often hanging out with his fellow swimmers to play video games.

Bo’s mother, Tara Galluzzo Ward, has expressed her grief on Facebook, sharing pictures of a memorial service in his honor.

Kaidence Was A Beloved Standout Softball Player

Kaidence Ruelas, on the other hand, was a standout softball player at Lake Placid High School.

She was well-liked by her coaches and peers for her bubbly personality and bright spirit.

Kaidence was the team’s “ace pitcher” for years, consistently throwing the ball exactly where she intended and maintaining her composure despite any errors or distractions.

She and her cousin, Emily Tharp, would often switch between the pitcher’s mound and second base, but Kaidence was primarily their ace pitcher.

Nicknamed “K,” her talent and commitment to the sport made her a key player on the team, and she was remembered fondly by everyone who knew her.

Gus Diez, a coach of Ruelas, said when asked about how he is coping,

The tragic deaths of Bo Ward and Kaidence Ruelas have left an indelible mark on the Lake Placid community.

As families, friends, and classmates grapple with their loss, they are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Bo and Kaidence’s legacy will live on through the memories they created and the lives they touched.

Additional Information

• The sedan involved in the crash was carrying four occupants: a 17-year-old male driver and three passengers, aged 17, 16, and 15.
• All four individuals in the sedan wore seat belts and sustained no injuries.
• The accident occurred when the sedan driver attempted to change lanes and collided with Bo Ward’s truck, causing it to roll over multiple times.
• The school and the victim’s families are yet to make any public statements.