BOSTON -- A 19-year-old high school student from Bolton, Mass., is dead after being hit by a car that was being driven by one of his fellow classmates.

Francis J. Demeo, a co-captain of the Nashoba Regional High School wrestling team, was struck by one of his teammates at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday on Fox Run Road in Bolton.

"Obviously, it is a very dark day for Nashoba, for the community. But you know, I think that people kind of helped other through today," Principal Jeremy Roche said.

Demeo, a senior, was jogging to a teammate's house before a scheduled 4:30 p.m. match. He was approached from behind by a car driven by teammate David Hayden, 17, of Stow. Two other wrestling teammates, both juveniles, were passengers in the car.

The driver of the car called 911, and the two passengers ran to a nearby house to notify an adult of what happened. The victim was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The crash appeared to be unintentional, but remains under investigation, authorities said.

"I really can't get into the specifics (of the incident) right now. But all persons involved have been very cooperative. They were all friends and classmates," said Bolton Police Chief Vincent Alfano.

"This is a senseless tragedy," said District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. "This calls out for young people to be more careful in and out of moving vehicles. You can never underestimate the power of a moving vehicle."

Grief counselors were at the school on Wednesday.

"His teachers really loved him, I think, because of the person he was. He had the same manner in class -- he was hard working and diligent, respectful, polite, courteous … I could go on. We are proud to have known him and that he was part of our community," Roche said.

Demeo's father, Tony, encouraged his son's teammates to compete in a wrestling meet this weekend, saying that is what his son would have wanted.