LEE COUNTY, Fla. — One child is dead after a fatal crash involving a golf cart on Orange River Boulevard.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) a three-year-old child was driving a golf cart northbound on Orange River Boulevard.
FHP said the toddler was approaching a right curve near the property where a 7-year-old child was standing on the front lawn.
"How something quick and easy can occurred," said FHP's Lieutenant Greg Bueno. "This is a three-year-old and this is a seven-year-old—two little boys."
Lieutenant Bueno confirmed with Fox 4's Briana Brownlee that the two were brothers.
"I pray the mother and the father have the strength to get past this," said one neighbor. "Hopefully from this tragedy, people are aware of keeping track of the children and kids because they are innocent.
Lt. Bueno stressed that this is a tragedy and the department's thoughts and prayers are with the family—but an investigation is underway "because a little boy lost his life."
"We are still sorting through this, what led up to the tragedy," said Lt. Bueno. "Whether the 7-year-old was always outside of the cart, or was he initially in the cart with the 3-year-old."
When asked if the department is investigating the parents, Lt. Bueno said at this point "We want to know where everybody was, we want to know what occurred." He added that like any investigation he doesn't want to get ahead of his skis.
The incident happened Monday, and FHP is still early in the investigation.
"We are wanting to know where the adults were, who was on property who was outside, who was inside," Lt. Bueno said.
FHP couldn't answer where the 3-year-old is at this time but did say they have been in contact with the Department of Family Services.
