UPDATE: Manatee County School District to offer grief counseling to Lakewood Ranch High students

In the wake of the death of Brendon Shreve and Jared Duran, the Manatee County School District is focused on helping the Lakewood Ranch High students' friends and teachers cope with the unexpected loss.

Oct. 12, the district is bringing a grief management team to the East County school to meet with interested individuals, school Principal Craig Little said in an email to The Observer.

Little sent out an email to parents Oct. 11, to inform them on the district's plan for tomorrow.

"Our school community shares sympathy in the loss of Brendon Shreve and Jared Duran and for their families," Little said in an email to parents. "During this period of time, some students may experience a wide range of emotions. If we can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to call on us."

A previous Observer story said that the students died after a vehicle accident Oct. 10 on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. The teens were driving southbound and failed to "negotiate a right curve," the story cites.

Both students died on impact, a Florida Highway Patrol report said.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].