Child hit by car in Bradenton Beach, luckily not severely harmed

Fortunately, a 10-year-old girl from West Virginia was spared from severe harm after she was hit by a car while crossing Gulf Drive North in the 1300 block on June 7 around 5:30 p.m.

The incident unfolded on the west side of Gulf Drive, opposite the Tortuga Resort. Officers from the Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD) swiftly responded to the scene. According to their account, the juvenile was crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk when a Ford Mustang traveling south collided with her.

Promptly, West Manatee Fire Rescue arrived and evaluated the girl's condition, determining her injuries to be minor. Nonetheless, they transported her to HCA Florida Blake Hospital for further medical attention. Thankfully, she was discharged later without any serious injuries.

Authorities emphasized that the area where the accident occurred lacked a designated crosswalk, underscoring that vehicles on the road had the right of way. They stressed the importance of adhering to Florida Statute 316.130 (10), which stipulates that pedestrians must yield to all vehicles on the roadway when crossing at points without marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

A local resident, Mark Platt, who witnessed the incident, voiced concerns about frequent risky pedestrian crossings in the area. He fears a grave mishap if people continue to disregard the rules of pedestrian road crossing.

"I see it all the time, people in that area of Gulf Drive cross the street thinking traffic will stop," Platt expressed. "There is no marked crossing, and at night it is incredibly dark because of the lack of lighting due to turtle regulations. It’s dangerous, and I worry someone will be seriously hurt or worse; you just can’t see them a lot of the time."

The driver involved in the accident remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. BBPD confirmed that the driver was not cited for any traffic violations.