The 2-year-old girl was hit Saturday afternoon near East Seventh Avenue, authorities said.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL — A 2-year-old girl died Saturday after she was struck by a vehicle on the beach near East Seventh Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County officials said.
The crash happened about 4:30 p.m. on May 23 in a traffic lane on the sand, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the child ran into the lane before she was hit. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The driver stayed at the scene, and officials said early findings did not show speed or impairment as factors.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the agency was sharing “tragic news” after the child’s death. Chitwood said the preliminary investigation showed the girl ran into the beach traffic lane before she was struck. “The Volusia Sheriff’s Office sends our deepest condolences to the child’s family,” he said. The child’s name had not been released as of Sunday. Officials also had not released the driver’s name, the vehicle’s full description or whether any citation would be issued.
Witnesses described a sudden and painful scene on a busy stretch of beach. Jacob Myers, who said he saw the aftermath, told WESH that people began screaming and running after the child was struck. “It’s a two-year-old just starting life,” Myers said, describing the day as one that began with a family visit to the beach and ended in tragedy. Another witness, Mia Leporn, told WKMG that people were crying and that the child had been found in the sand after the crash.
Investigators kept crime-scene tape up for hours while they worked along the beach near East Seventh Avenue. Witnesses told local news outlets that the vehicle was an Infiniti SUV, though officials had not confirmed the make or model in their public statements. Detectives photographed the scene into the evening as beachgoers stood nearby. Authorities did not say how many people were with the child when she entered the lane or how close the vehicle was when the crash occurred.
The crash drew attention because parts of Volusia County’s beaches allow vehicles to drive and park on the sand in marked areas. County rules allow driving and parking only in designated zones and direct drivers to follow standard traffic laws, posted speed limits and other beach rules. The area near New Smyrna Beach is one of the county’s best-known beach driving areas, where pedestrians, families, parked vehicles and moving traffic can be close together during busy weekends.
No charges had been announced by Sunday. The Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remained preliminary, and officials were still reviewing the circumstances of the crash. The driver’s decision to remain at the scene was noted by investigators. Authorities also said they did not believe speed or impairment played a role at this stage, but they did not close the case or release a final report.
The child’s death came during a holiday weekend period when Volusia County beaches often draw heavy crowds. The crash area near East Seventh Avenue is close to beach access points used by drivers and pedestrians. Officials did not announce any immediate change to beach traffic operations after the crash. The next step is expected to be completion of the Sheriff’s Office investigation and any follow-up review by traffic or legal authorities.
Author note: Last updated May 24, 2026.