A 1-year-old girl has died after being hit by a car while at a Florida beach, according to officials.
Avery Lynn Sexton was killed on New Smyrna Beach, which is just over 14 miles from Daytona Beach. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office confirmed on X that a preliminary investigation had revealed that the youngster was struck at around 4:30 p.m. on May 23 after running into a traffic lane. Authorities added said it “does not appear speed or impairment are a factor.”
Avery was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.
Mia Leporn, a witness, told News 6 that the incident was “heartbreaking.”
“A little girl was face down in the sand,” she said. “It was very sad. People were screaming; People were crying.” Later she added, “It’s a very tragic event.”
Avery was identified by her father, Dante Sexton, who told Fox 35 that she was the ‘happiest little girl you could ever meet.”
Dante also described her as the “light of anybody’s day that met her.”
On Monday, Dante gathered with family and friends at New Smyrna Beach to remember the youngster.
“It’s definitely an unreal moment,” he told the outlet.
In a GoFundMe campaign launched to help Avery’s family with funeral expenses and memorial costs, the youngster is described as being able to “light up a room just by being herself.” The fundraiser seen more than $16,000 in donations.
“Her loving nature touched everyone she met, and her sweetness made her truly unforgettable,” the page reads. “Avery’s memory will always be cherished, and we want to honor her in the most loving way possible.”
The Professional Firefighters of Orange City described Avery in a Facebook statement as an “extended piece of OCFD and Local 5375 family.”
“Our hearts are with Avery Lynn’s family and everyone impacted by this unimaginable tragedy,” the statement reads. “We are respecting the family’s privacy at this time and ask the community to keep them in their thoughts as they navigate this incredibly difficult loss.”
Leporn urged drivers to take precautions when driving near the beach. in the community.
“They run,” she said, referring to children. “They’re excited. They’re at the beach. You need to take extra precautions, slow down and pay attention.”
The Independent has contacted the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
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