A Palm Coast neighborhood is mourning the death of a 7-year-old girl, struck and killed Wednesday morning while walking to her bus stop.

Florida Highway Patrol said Kymora Christian was crossing the street on Whippoorwill Drive to go to her bus stop in the residential area of the city. She was heading to Wadsworth Elementary School.

Christian was struck by a Ford Expedition being driven by 36-year-old Melissa Beane-Meeth who was taking her 11-year-old child to school, troopers said.

The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, troopers said. There's no sign speed, distracted driving, drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

The 7-year-old was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler, where she was pronounced dead.

In the close-knit W section of Palm Coast, worry quickly turned to shock.


Flowers and stuffed animals are part of a memorial at the scene where a 7-year-old girl was struck and killed by an SUV as she walked to a bus stop Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. (Jeff Allen, Staff)

“My first reaction was ‘oh my gosh,’ this could’ve been my daughter or anyone’s daughter crossing the street,” said Latricia Halyare.

Less than a mile away, at Wadsworth Elementary where Kymora Christian went to school, grief counselors were on hand to talk to teachers and students.

“We’re in mourning.  This is a tragic loss,” said Flagler County School Superintendent Jacob Oliva.

Jason Wheeler, a Flagler County Public Schools spokesman, said this was the third incident in which a vehicle struck a child in Palm Coast since the beginning of the school year.

A Buddy Taylor student and an Indian Trails student were also struck by vehicles.

“One of the things we always try to stress to our families and staff is safety, and making sure we’re promoting safety,” said Oliva.

“It still feels like the loss of my child, because it’s a 7-year-old girl.  She hadn’t even gotten a chance to live her life,” said Halyare.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the white Ford Expedition is the SUV that struck and killed the 7-year-old girl as she walked to a bus stop Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015. (Jeff Allen, Staff)