Crime & Safety

Girl, 14, Struck by Car While Crossing Bee Ridge Rd.

The girl, who ran into the path of an oncoming car, was critically injured, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

A 14-year-old girl was critically injured when she was struck by a car as she tried to cross Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota on Sunday night, according to authorities.

The girl was crossing even though an electronic sign said do not walk, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

The accident happened around 9:30 p.m. near the intersection of Bee Ridge and Beneve Road.

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The driver, 21-year-old Stephen Thomas Rohner, was headed westbound on Bee Ridge approaching a green light when the girl ran into his path, according to investigators. He steered his 2002 Chevy Impala to the right in an attempt to avoid hitting the girl, the highway patrol said, but still struck her with the left front of his car.

The girl was airlifted to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton with critical injuries.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rohner and an 18-year-old passenger in his car were uninjured.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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