Fourth-grader from Sugar Mill hit and killed on way to school

A fourth-grader at Sugar Mill Elementary School was struck and killed by a car near the school on Friday, police said.

The accident happened at about 7:10 a.m. right in front of the school at 1101 Charles St. in Port Orange. The girl, who was riding her bicycle, was struck by a vehicle that was leaving the school after dropping off another student, police said.

The girl was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach, where she was pronounced dead, police said.

Port Orange Police Chief Manuel Marino said it was a tragic reminder that drivers need to be extra cautious just before the end of school when children may be nearby.

“We’re asking everyone to be very vigilant, especially in school zones, but also around schools,” Marino said. “And when summer comes, our children will be on our streets, riding bikes, going to parks, going to summer camps. So it’s just a reminder, a tragic one, but for everyone: Be vigilant and be as safe as you can when you’re on streets where there might be children.”

Driver desperate at sugar factory accident, remained at the scene

The driver of the vehicle, who police said was very disturbed, remained at the scene of the accident and cooperated with investigators.

Marino said he could not say at this time whether charges would be filed against the driver.

“At this point, I honestly don’t know,” Marino said. “We’re still in the very early stages of the investigation. I don’t have any information yet on whether it was distracted driving or anything like that. But that will definitely be part of our investigation.”

The child entered the east-west crosswalk and the driver left the school, Marino said.

3 accidents reported in the sugar factory in the last 5 years

There was no school crossing guard at this crosswalk, Marino said, adding that they are usually seen at major intersections. He said the school crossing guards are supervised by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

Marino said records show three accidents in the area in the past five years. He said the most recent accident was in October 2022, when a child on a bicycle was struck but suffered “relatively minor injuries.” That happened at a school entrance on Charles Street, west of the site of Friday’s fatal crash. He said the driver in the 2022 incident left the scene of the accident, but police identified her; she turned herself in and was arrested. He said the school took preventative measures after that accident by putting up some poles in the area.

Another child suffered minor injuries after being hit at the bus stop in 2021.

When asked who was responsible for those accidents, he said it was a combination of the contribution of everyone involved, the drivers and the children who were alert to danger. But Marino also said he was not suggesting the child in Friday’s accident was in any way to blame. He said that will be part of the investigation.

Marino said he did not know if it would be feasible to have enough crossing guards to guard every entrance to schools. He said crossing guards are usually stationed at major intersections, not at school entrances.

He said the accident occurred in a school zone, where the speed limit would have gone into effect at 7 a.m. The call about the accident came in around 7:10 a.m., and there was a delay between the accident and the call to police, Marino said.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office has a committee, including school district members, that decides on the locations of school crossing guards, said Danielle Johnson, spokeswoman for Volusia County Schools.

Grief counselors are available to Sugar Mill students and staff

The school has grief counselors available to staff and students, Johnson said.

The school had planned a sports festival for Friday, but it has been postponed, Johnson said.

Sugar Mill Elementary Principal Carol Sullo sent a message to parents and guardians about the child’s death.

“I have very sad news to share with you. One of your child’s classmates passed away this morning. This is indeed a very sad day for the students, faculty and staff of Sugar Mill. Our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends as we process this tragic and unimaginable news.”

She said the crisis and mental health team is available for individual or group consultations with students and staff. She asked anyone who would like to request virtual grief counseling for their student to contact the district mental health office at 386-734-7190, extension 20009. Sullo said the service will also be offered during normal school hours on Friday at the school, as well as virtually from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If a student needs help after 4:30 p.m., parents should contact the SMA crisis response team at 1-800-539-4228.

“We want to make sure everyone is thinking about this student and his family right now,” Johnson said. “It’s never an easy day when something like this happens, especially at the end of the school year.”

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