PALM BAY, Fla. – Police said it appears a 61-year-old driver who was turning right out of a parking lot never saw a 10-year-old boy riding home from school Wednesday.
Following the deadly collision, people continued to come to the scene Thursday to pay their respects at a memorial site, including some of the boy's fourth grade classmates at Odyssey Charter School.
"It was upsetting to me and my friends," said 10-year-old Kayla Heck. "Once I found out that it was him, I was upset."
Heck and her aunt stopped by the memorial after school Thursday to leave a handwritten goodbye note and a teddy bear.
Police said the boy was struck at the stop sign at the exit of the Eldron Boulevard Publix shopping plaza around 1:45 p.m. Wednesday by a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup truck.
Police said the driver turned right out of the shopping plaza and collided with the boy's bicycle on the truck's passenger side.
"The truck was stopped at the stop sign. The boy at least slowed down or stopped and somehow he ended up underneath the truck," said Lt. Mike Bandish, with the Palm Bay Police Department.
Bandish said the boy was dragged into the street, where he died.
Grief counselors spoke with the boy's classmates and teachers Thursday at Odyssey Charter School.
Heck said she went to see them twice.
"I went twice. Me and my friend did because we were so upset," the fourth-grader said.
Police said the boy often rode his bike home on this sidewalk, and Wednesday he was wearing a helmet.
Officers said early indications are that the driver may only receive a citation.
Police said the investigation continues.
"I just think it was a freaky accident. I see a lot of children ride their bikes home and they're safe," Jan Ziomek told News 6. Ziomek brought flowers to the memorial Thursday.