J.D. Gallop, and Mackenzie Ryan

FLORIDA TODAY

Florida Highway Patrol officials opened a formal investigation into the death of a 17-year-old Satellite Beach student after determining that she was being pulled by a car when she fell off and struck her head.

The teen, identified as Haley Susan Hodge of Satellite Beach, apparently used a rope to 'car surf' behind the vehicle driven by a 19-year-old and suffered severe head injuries that led to her death Monday, authorities said.

The incident happened about 9 p.m. Saturday on Tropical Trail and Tropical Lane on the southern portion of Merritt Island.

Investigators initially believed teen was riding on a skateboard when she somehow fell and struck her head, according Brevard County sheriff reports. Haley, who was breathing but non-responsive, was treated by Brevard County Fire Rescue paramedics before being taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center.

"This happened Saturday night and the fire department responded. No one mentioned that she was being towed by a (car). Then the sheriff's office began hearing rumors sometime around Sunday or Monday that Haley was car surfing. We were notified Wednesday and were able to contact the driver of the (car) that was towing Haley and two occupants of the vehicle," said Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.

"They did say that they were pulling her behind the (car) when she fell," said Montes, adding that 9-1-1 was called moments later.

The driver of the 2002 Toyota Celica, who was pulling Haley northbound on Tropical Trail when the accident happened, was identified by troopers as Zachary Byrnes, of Rockledge. Authorities said he has not been charged in the ongoing investigation. Alcohol was also not a factor in the case, reports show. The investigation will look at vehicle speeds, visual conditions and other elements to determine whether charges will eventually be filed.

Haley was well known at her school and a Tuesday night tribute - which was first organized as a prayer vigil before her death on Monday - drew hundreds of people to Pelican Park for remembrances.

Brevard County School District officials sent grief counselors to Haley's school where students took to social media with tributes. Some of the Condolences and messages were posted on Twitter:

The criminal investigaiton could take several weeks.

"It's very sad. Kids will be kids but at that age, you don't understand how dangerous something like this is," Montes said.

"It's clearly against the law for this reason. Right now we're just starting our investigation."

Contact Gallop at 321-242-3642, Twitter.com/jdgallop or jdgallop@floridatoday.com.