Couple hit by car, killed next to 7-year-old daughter in Florida. What we know
Two people visiting from Massachusetts were struck and killed while crossing a street in Lakeland on Wednesday, Aug. 7, police said, just a few feet away from their 7-year-old daughter.
Police said Rexyanna Honors, 22, of Lakeland, Florida, was driving a Toyota Yaris through a green light on South Florida Avenue just before 11 p.m. when she crossed the intersection of Imperial Boulevard as Ronald Jean Baptiste, 54, and Yanique Pierre, 46, both of Everett, Massachusetts, attempted to cross the street, according to a Lakeland Police Department release.
The couple's daughter was nearby but was not hurt in the crash, police said. Despite the response from emergency crews from the city and Polk County, Jean Baptiste and Pierre were pronounced dead on the scene.
The child has been placed in the care of family members, police said.
How did the pedestrians from Massachusetts die in Florida crash?
Honors was driving southbound on South Florida Avenue and had a green light at the intersection, according to preliminary evidence and witness statements, police said.
The Massachusetts couple, who had been staying at a nearby hotel, attempted to cross South Florida Avenue eastbound in the crosswalk at about 10:49 p.m., police said, and were both struck by the front of the car.
Honors was not injured.
Was the driver in the fatal Lakeland pedestrian crash at fault?
Honors remained on the scene and did not exhibit any "obvious indications of impairment," police said. No charges have been filed and no citations have been issued, although it remains an open and active investigation, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.
Where was the Massachusetts couple killed in Lakeland, Florida?
The incident occurred at 3437 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland, police said, as the couple attempted to cross.
Lakeland is located about 25 miles east of Tampa.
Is there a GoFundMe for the Baptiste family?
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up by one of the couple's daughters, Rodnicha Jean Baptiste, to bring them back to Massachusetts.
"We are making this GoFundMe in an effort to raise enough money for their three daughters that are left to plan their parents funeral and their memorial ceremony," the fundraiser page says. "Losing both parents was an unforeseen tragedy, but with help hopefully we can memorialize Mr and Mrs. Baptiste and bring them home to their loved ones."
As of Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024, the GoFundMe had reached over $24,000 of the $70,000 goal.
Editor's note: Mr. Baptiste's name has been corrected.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Parents killed near daughter in Lakeland, Florida, pedestrian accident
