A Florida middle school student remains in critical condition after a tragic accident on the first day of school in Sarasota. The incident occurred Monday morning as the student was being dropped off at school. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the child was struck by an SUV after she bent down to pick up pens and markers that had fallen under the vehicle. Unaware of her presence, the driver moved the car forward, leading to the heartbreaking accident.

Witnessing the aftermath, Myra Moore, a mother who had just dropped off her own children, expressed her shock and sorrow. “I honestly was just wiping tears,” she told WFLA. “What should have been a happy and joyous day turned into a tragedy so quickly.”

The student was airlifted to All Children’s Hospital, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Mother Accidentally Runs Over Student, According to Reports

The driver, a 30-year-old mother, unintentionally ran over her 12-year-old daughter, a middle school student, according to reports from WFLA and ABC Action News. The tragic accident occurred when the student dropped her belongings and went under the car to retrieve them. Unaware of her daughter’s position, the mother drove forward, leading to the heartbreaking incident.

The victim’s mother, who was driving a Lincoln Navigator SUV, immediately stopped the vehicle when she heard her child’s screams, according to FHP Trooper Kenn Watson, as reported by ABC Action News.

“Here we are, day one, and we’ve already faced a tragedy,” Watson said. “We hope this never happens again, but it’s crucial to maintain strong spatial awareness, especially around school zones and when dropping off your children.”

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