ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A child was killed, and another is hospitalized after a dirt bike collided with a FedEx box truck Monday afternoon in St. Lucie County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 3:07 p.m. in the 600 block of East Midway Road near Fort Pierce, FHP says.
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The two minors were riding a dirt bike when it collided with a FedEx box truck.
A 9-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The second child, a 12-year-old, was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
WPTV spoke with neighbors who live near the scene. They say it's a common area where people ride bikes.
"It's tragic, it's horrible. We see kids going up and down the sidewalk all the time. Both sides, our side and the opposite side. It's unfortunate that it happened," said Megan Sharma. "It's really tragic that a child died."
She said another tragedy also took place along East Midway Road in 2020.
"Several years ago, a young adult on a motorcycle was hit by a car," Sharma said. "Look both ways before you cross the street. Be wary of other vehicles; it's a dangerous, very dangerous highway."
Officials have not released the identities or ages of the children. No additional details about what led up to the collision have been released.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro released the following statement on the crash:
"I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. The loss of a nine-year-old child is unimaginable, and my heart goes out to the family and everyone grieving this devastating loss. My thoughts are also with the 12-year-old child who was injured in the crash, and I wish them strength and a full recovery.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with operating off-road vehicles on public roadways. If a vehicle is designed for off-road use, it should only be operated where it can be used safely and legally.
The members of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office remain committed to improving roadway safety through public education, targeted enforcement, and strong partnerships with our community. Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility, and together we can help reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future".
FedEx released the following statement:
"Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the family and loved ones of the individual who lost their life in this tragic accident. Safety is our highest priority, and we are cooperating fully with local authorities in their investigation. We ask that any further questions be directed to them."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
