NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – An 11-year-old boy was taken to the hospital after deputies say he was struck by a car while riding his bike in New Smyrna Beach.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Paige Avenue and Corbin Park Road.
When investigators arrived, the bike, ridden by Mark Moore, was still under the front of the 2002 Honda Civic, driven by 19-year-old Katelin Evans, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Moore was thrown from his bike after being hit. Investigators picked up the bike seat and pieces of the boy's clothing all over the street.
Moore was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital in serious condition. Troopers said he was not wearing a helmet, which is required for those under the age of 16.
Witnesses told Local 6 that Moore was unconscious after the crash.
"We had left earlier to go to a dinner and we saw the kid on the bike coming through the neighborhood," said neighbor Donna Athearn. "He's here a lot. He's a regular kid from the neighborhood. It's just a very tragic thing."
Neighbors said what happened should remind parents to warn their children about playing in roads, especially normally busy ones.
Investigators spent about 3 hours measuring the crash scene. At this point, they said there is no indication speed was a factor.
Relatives told Local 6 the young driver, Evans, had her 3-month-old baby in the car with her. Witnesses overheard her saying she's a mother, too.
The incident remains under investigation. There is currently no word if Evans will face any charges.