Fourth-grade girl dies after being hit by vehicle at Sugar Mill Elementary in Port Orange
A fourth-grader at Sugar Mill Elementary School entering a crosswalk on a bicycle was struck and killed by an SUV near the school Friday, according to police.
The accident happened about 7:10 a.m. just outside the school at 1101 Charles St. in Port Orange. The girl was hit by a vehicle exiting the school after dropping off another student, police said.
The girl was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach where she was pronounced dead.
Sugar Mill parents speak out: Fourth-grader's death was preventable
Among the first at the scene was Chris Roberts, a Port Orange parent dropping off his children at the school. He said when he arrived the child was being covered by a blanket. He said the accident happened near the entrance of the drop-off circle.
Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino said it was a tragic reminder that with only one week left of school drivers need to take extra care when children may be in the area.
"We urge everyone to be very vigilant, particularly in school zones, but in the area of any school," Marino said. "And as we head into summer, our kids will be out on our streets, riding bicycles, going to parks, going to summer camps. So it's just (a) reminder, a tragic one, but for all, everyone to be vigilant and just use the utmost safety that they can when they are operating on roadways where there potentially could be children."
Driver in Sugar Mill accident distraught, remained on scene
The driver of the vehicle, who police said was very distraught, remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.
Marino said he could not say at this point whether the driver would face any charges.
"At this point, I don't know honestly," Marino said "We are still really early in the investigation. I haven't received any knowledge as to whether to presume distracted driving or anything like that. But that will be part of our investigation for sure."
Florida distracted driving law states that anyone using a hands-free device such as a cell phone in a school zone can be fined $60 plus fees and have three points assessed against their license.
The child was entering the crosswalk going east to west and the driver was exiting the school, Marino said.
Police as of Saturday were not releasing the names of the child, her parents, or the driver of the SUV.
3 accidents reported at Sugar Mill in the last 5 years
There was no crossing guard at that crosswalk, said Marino, adding that they are generally seen at major intersections. He said that the crossing guards are overseen by the Volusia Sheriff's Office.
Marino said records show three accidents in the area over the last five years.
In October 2022, a child on a bicycle was hit but suffered "relatively minor injuries." That happened at a school entrance on Charles Street west of the location of Friday's fatal accident. The driver left the scene but was identified, turned herself in and was arrested. The school took preventive measures after that accident by placing some poles in the area.
Another child suffered minor injuries after he was hit in the bus loop in 2021.
Asked who was at fault for those accidents, he said that it was a combination of factors. Marino said he was not suggesting that the child in Friday's accident was at fault. He said determining fault will be part of the investigation.
Marino said he did not know if it was feasible to have enough crossing guards to cover every entrance at schools. He said crossing guards are usually at major intersections, not school entrances.
He said the accident happened in the school zone, where a reduced speed requirement would have gone into effect at 7 a.m. The call about the accident came in at about 7:10 a.m.
The Volusia Sheriff's Office has a committee, which includes school district members, that decides the locations of crossing guards, Volusia County Schools Spokeswoman Danielle Johnson said.
Grief counselors available for Sugar Mill students and staff
Grief counselors are at the school and available for staff and students, Johnson said. The school had planned its field day on Friday, but that has been put on hold, she added.
Sugar Mill Elementary School Principal Carol Sullo sent a message to parents and guardians about the child's death.
"I have some very sad news to share with you. One of your child’s classmates has passed away this morning. This is indeed a very sad day for the students, faculty and staff members of Sugar Mill. Our thoughts and sympathies are with their family and friends as we process this tragic and unimaginable news."
She said the crisis and mental health response team would be available to meet with students and staff individually or in groups. She asked anyone who wanted to request a virtual grief counseling session for their student to contact the District Mental Health office at 386-734-7190, ext. 20009.
Sullo said the service would also be provided at the school.
“We want to make sure that everyone keeps this student and their family in mind right now,” Johnson said. “It’s never an easy day when you have something like this happen, especially at the end of the school year.”
Classes in Volusia County end May 31.
Police are looking for any recordings of the crash. Police ask anyone with additional information or who witnessed the crash to call the traffic unit at 386-506-5838.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Sugar Mill 4th-grader struck and killed on her way to school
