Huntsville High School.jpg

Huntsville High School (File photo)

The principal of Huntsville High School informed parents Thursday night that a student injured in a pedestrian crash earlier this week had died - but had to do an about-face Friday morning when it became clear that the teen was indeed alive.

Principal Aaron King late Thursday night sent out an email to parents, one of whom shared the missive with AL.com.

"I regret to inform you that one of our students, Demarcus Franks, passed away this evening from injuries suffered from a traffic accident on Wednesday," the email began. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Franks family, and would ask that you keep his family in your thoughts and prayers."

King went on to say that counselors would be on hand at the school Friday morning to help students grieving the loss of their classmate. He also offered parents helpful tips on recognizing the signs of grief.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Friday, however, parents got a second email:

"I wanted to update everyone on Demarcus Franks, one of our students who suffered injuries from a traffic accident on Wednesday. The information we received from last night has changed and, as of this morning, Demarcus is stable and expected to recover.

"The staff at Huntsville High will continue to offer comfort and support to the Franks family. We would ask that you continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Huntsville City Schools spokesman Keith Ward said it was not immediately clear how the school got the wrong information about Franks' condition.

The crash that injured Franks occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday on Memorial Parkway, between Clinton Avenue and Governors Drive. Franks was left in critical condition, but the other teen's injuries were not life-threatening.

Lt. Stacy Bates, a Huntsville Police spokesman, said Thursday that the crash remained under investigation but that no charges were expected to be filed against the driver who hit the boys.

Franks' sister, Brianna, on Wednesday posted on Facebook that he was breathing with the help of machines. His condition has gradually stabilized and, on Friday morning, she reported that he had squeezed her hand.