A one-year-old girl has died after running into traffic while enjoying a family day out at a Florida beach. Avery Lynn Sexton was struck by a car on New Smyrna Beach during a Memorial Day outing, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
The driver remained at the scene until authorities arrived. Avery was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead on Saturday. The sheriff's office stated that speed and impairment do not appear to be factors in the incident.
Witness Mia Leporn described the scene as 'heartbreaking,' with people screaming and crying. Avery's father, Dante Sexton, said she was 'the happiest little girl you could ever meet.' The family is now advocating to ban driving on the beach.
A memorial has been placed at the crash site with flowers, a pink bow, and a photograph. A GoFundMe page has raised over $16,000 to cover funeral expenses. A private memorial service is scheduled for this Sunday.
