GEISMAR - Flags at Dutchtown High School were lowered to half-staff the day after State Police said a 14-year-old student was hit by a pickup and died while riding his bike.

Authorities said Brennan Rube was riding his bike south on LA 73 around 6 p.m. Wednesday when a pickup driven by 26-year-old Joshua Ashford hit his rear tire. LSP said Rube, who was not wearing a helmet, was thrown from his bike and died.

Superintendent Patrice Pujol with Ascension Public Schools said Rube was a student at Dutchtown High School.

"There is nothing more tragic than the life of a young person cut short. Our hearts go out to the Rube family and Brennan's friends," Pujol said in an emailed statement.

Pujol said counselors were brought in Thursday to talk with students and staff who were affected by Rube's death.

The school's principal and others told News 2's Chris Nakamoto that Rube was an "angel."

"It's extremely difficult, but we are a family," Dutchtown High Principal Carli Francois said. "We know this will be difficult, and we're just there for one another and take things one step at a time."

Flags are at half staff at Dutchtown High. This follows the death of a student. @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/QDI39MeAEN

— Chris Nakamoto (@ChrisNakamoto) December 10, 2015

The death of Rube hits too close to home at Dutchtown High School. On December 9, 2014, another freshman was killed in a car wreck on her way to school. Claire Carline died when the car she was in was struck head on. The man who hit them, was arrested. State troopers said he was under the influence.

"It's hard to make sense," Concerned parent Angela Coulon said. "You just pray for the families and pray for them. It's difficult. They have to learn about death, and they shouldn't have to for such a young student."

Investigators said Rube was not wearing light colored clothing when he was hit. Investigators also said he did not have the required lights on his bicycle and was not wearing a helmet.

The impact of the crash was so strong, it knocked a guardrail down and snapped the wooden support beams like toothpicks.