The child was struck Saturday afternoon near East Seventh Avenue in New Smyrna Beach.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A 2-year-old girl was killed Saturday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle on New Smyrna Beach, turning a busy beach day into a fatal investigation, officials said.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. near East Seventh Avenue. The child ran into a traffic lane on the beach before the vehicle hit her, Chitwood said. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The driver remained at the scene after the crash. Chitwood said early findings did not show speed or impairment as factors. Investigators kept crime-scene tape in place for hours while they worked around the area, took photographs and gathered information from people who were on the beach.
Witnesses told WESH that an Infiniti SUV struck the child. Jacob Myers said the crash caused immediate panic among beachgoers. “Everybody started screaming,” Myers said. He said the child had been at the beach with family before the day ended in tragedy.
Mia Lepore, another witness, said the scene was traumatic, with people screaming and crying after the collision. The crash happened in a section of beach where drivers and pedestrians are close together, a setting that investigators were still reviewing Saturday night.
The sheriff’s office had not released the names of the child or driver, and no charges had been announced. Detectives were still on scene taking pictures until about 8 p.m. Officials said additional details would be released as the investigation continues.
Author note: Last updated May 24, 2026.