The first day back from Spring Break is a sad one at Plant City High School.
Seventeen-year-old Blake Elrod, a PCHS senior, died in a car accident over the weekend.
Robert Hage taught Elrod all four years of high school in his carpentry and cabinet making class and said Blake liked to tell jokes.
"Very energetic student, a very good student," said Hage. "Very nice young man, very nice, polite young man."
Troopers say the 17-year-old was heading west on Knights Griffin Road just before 2 a.m. Friday and went through a red light at State Road 39. Troopers say Elrod's car hit a semi, skidded underneath the truck, and then caught fire.
Hage said students wanted to work on something special in class Monday, in memory of their classmate.
"They asked if they could make a cross, with his name, photo and place it in front of the school," said Hage.
Services are scheduled for Wednesday at Hopewell Funeral Home in Plant City.