ALACHUA – A Santa Fe High School senior was killed Friday night in a motorcycle crash in Union County, sending shockwaves through the community and sparking an outpouring of grief from classmates, family and friends.
Florida Highway Patrol officials said Jonathan “JP” Prior, 17, was riding southbound on State Road 121 when he rear-ended an SUV near Southwest 76th Way on Sept. 5, 2025. The impact threw him from his motorcycle, and he did not survive his injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Prior was a senior at Santa Fe High School and also worked as a lifeguard at Camp Kulaqua, where colleagues described him as dependable and kind.
Over the weekend, hundreds of students, teachers, relatives and neighbors gathered at Santa Fe High School for a memorial. The gathering turned into a living tribute filled with tears, laughter and stories that highlighted the teenager’s warmth and humor. Classmates said the size of the turnout reflected how deeply he had touched those around him.
In response to the tragedy, Camp Kulaqua lifeguards launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Prior family. The fundraiser quickly drew community support, becoming a focal point for those seeking to help during the family’s time of loss.
Santa Fe High administrators said grief counselors are available to support students as they cope with the sudden death of a peer.
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Santa Fe High Senior Killed in Motorcycle Crash
Colorful flowers and balloons in Santa Fe High’s colors of red, black and gray decorate the chain-link fence outside the school’s athletic fields on Sept. 7, 2025. Students and friends also used red cups to spell out the letters “Long Live JPJ” in tribute to senior Jonathan “JP” Prior, 17, who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Union County. / Alachua County Today Staff Photographer
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