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Memorial for elementary school student killed in Port Orange is being built

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Parents and students gathered outside Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port Orange after a student was struck and killed Friday morning. RELATED: Elementary school student struck and killed by car on way to school in Volusia County It happened in a crosswalk right outside the school while the girl was riding her bike. “We lost a beautiful child today,” said Mehrdad Khorassani, a family friend of the fourth-grader. “She is the most adorable, intelligent, kind, loving person I know,” Khorassani said. Even for parents and grandparents of Sugar Mill students who did not know the fourth-grader, the news was devastating. “Tragedy. Tragedy,” Danny Beard said. “You always hug your kids a little bit tighter when something like this happens,” Stephanie Bowen said. “I was devastated. I was sad,” Elizabeth Hawkins said. “I lost a child. I know what these parents are going through.” Just feet from where the little girl was lost, they gathered to light candles, write notes and leave flowers and toys. They also held a moment of silence, but also took the time to talk to each other about what should happen now. “It’s just scary to know that there’s almost like a blind spot where you can’t see anything and that a child was hit. It’s a tragedy,” Beard said. People WESH 2 spoke to wanted to station a school crossing guard at the crosswalk where this happened. “Whether it’s the sheriff’s office, the city of Port Orange or whoever, I mean, how many precious lives do we give away every day in a school. Do we risk every day that people don’t follow the rules?” Khorassani said. Khorassani hopes her messages reach someone who can make a difference. “Someone has to take responsibility. Nobody is going to bring this beautiful child back. Nobody can,” he said. “I hope this message gets through to the people who can make a change and keep our children safe at school.” Parents said Friday that at an upcoming meeting they would request that a school crossing guard be posted at the crosswalk where the incident occurred. The district said it will work with law enforcement to assess the situation here and decide what changes can be made.

PORT ORANGE, Fla. —

Parents and students gathered outside Sugar Mill Elementary School in Port Orange after a student was hit and killed Friday morning.

RELATED TOPICS: Elementary school student hit and killed by car on way to school in Volusia County

It happened on a zebra crossing right in front of the school while the girl was riding her bike.

“We lost a beautiful child today,” said Mehrdad Khorassani, a friend of the fourth-grader’s family.

“She is the most charming, intelligent, kind and loving person I could ever know,” Khorassani said.

Even for the parents and grandparents of the Sugar Mill students, who did not know the fourth girl, the news was devastating.

“Tragedy. Tragedy,” said Danny Beard.

“You always hug your kids a little tighter when something like this happens,” Stephanie Bowen said.

“I was devastated. I was sad,” said Elizabeth Hawkins. “I lost a child. I know what these parents are going through.”

Just a few meters from where the little girl had gone missing, they gathered to light candles, write notes and leave flowers and toys.

They also observed a minute’s silence, but also took the time to talk to each other about what should happen next.

“It’s just scary to know that there’s a blind spot where you can’t see anything and that a child was hit. It’s a tragedy,” Beard said.

People WESH 2 spoke to wanted to station a school crossing guard at the crosswalk where the incident occurred.

“Whether it’s the sheriff’s office, the city of Port Orange or whoever, I mean, how many precious lives do we give away every day in a school. Do we risk every day that people don’t follow the rules?” Khorassani said.

Khorassani hopes her messages reach someone who can make a difference.

“Someone has to take responsibility. No one is going to bring this wonderful child back. No one can,” he said. “I hope this message reaches the people who can make a change and keep our children safe at school.”

Parents said Friday that at an upcoming meeting they would demand that a school crossing guard be posted at the crosswalk where the incident occurred.

The district said it will work with law enforcement to assess the situation and determine what changes can be made.

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