Driver ticketed in death of Brevard fourth-grader

David Clark, 61, could face $1,000 fine, one-year suspension of license

PALM BAY, Fla. – The driver of a pickup truck that struck and killed a Brevard County fourth-grader was charged Friday with failure to yield at a sidewalk in connection with the crash.

If convicted, David Clark, 61, could face a $1,000 fine and receive a one-year suspension of his driver’s license.

“It’s a civil charge. There’s no criminal act. He wasn’t speeding. It’s an accident. A tragedy,” said Palm Bay police Lt. Mike Bandish. “He was stopped there for an extended period of time.”

The deadly crash was reported April 5 as 10-year-old Ander Grooms, who attended Odyssey Charter School, was riding his bike home in Bayside Lakes in Palm Bay.

Police said Clark was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck when he pulled out of a Publix parking lot on Eldron Boulevard. The boy was struck and dragged for several feet, police said.

Investigators said the area was not part of a school zone or intersection but is frequently used by students walking to and from the school campus.

Palm Bay resident Rich Nelson said the crash broke the hearts of people living in the neighborhood.

His questions remain unanswered three weeks after the crash.

"Why didn't he see the child?" What was he doing? I mean, how do you put a price on a life?" Nelson said to News 6 Monday after learning the news of Clark's ticket.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Ander's family. More than $23,000 has been donated.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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