A 7-year-old Florida boy died when a golf cart driven by a toddler struck him on private property Monday afternoon.
The golf cart, driven by a 3-year-old boy, was approaching a curve near the Lee County residence as the older boy stood in the front yard about 4 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol said.
Troopers said the golf cart struck the pedestrian, who suffered critical injuries and was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Under a new law that took effect in Florida on July 1, minors must be at least 15-years-old with a learner’s permit or 16-years-old with a driver’s license to drive a golf cart. Adults over the age of 18 are only required to have government-issued identification.
“It’s a very sad situation,” said Chyenne McKenny, an employee at Top Tropical Garden Center located across the street from the accident. “I couldn’t believe it happened right here.”
McKenny, who said she also has children, empathized with the victims’ family. She added there are always children coming and going from the property, often playing with golf carts.
When she looked across the road, McKenny said she saw two ambulances and troopers at the home.
Records indicate the property where the crash happened is registered to Eris Medrano Jimenez and Araceli Valdez Arrez. A Spanish-speaking motorist who pulled into the property Tuesday morning in a red pickup said he’s related to the boys’ father, but declined further comment and closed the gate.
It’s unclear if anyone will face charges.
“The tragic crash remains under investigation,” Lt. Greg Bueno, spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol, wrote in a statement.
At least 62 people have died this year resulting from crashes in Lee County. The rural area has around 4,500 residents.
Second fatal golf cart crash in South West Florida in past three months
This is the second fatal golf cart crash in Southwest Florida in just more than three months.
A 29-year-old woman was among seven other passengers when the cart they were riding on was hit by an SUV driven by a 56-year-old Naples man about 10:30 p.m. April 8 rear-ended them. The vehicles were headed north on Collier Boulevard, north of Capri Boulevard.
The 29-year-old woman died on scene.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.
