Daytona Beach 2-year-old injured in hit-and-run caused by mayor’s relative
Daytona Beach, FL – A 2-year-old girl was injured Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash in Daytona Beach. Local police later announced the suspect had been arrested and the media soon revealed that Kenyatta Henry, 23, is related to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.
The accident happened around 1:15 p.m. in the 800 block of Forest Lane in Daytona Beach. The little girl was crossing the road with her father when she was hit by a Black Dodge Charger driven by Henry. The driver stopped briefly to shout it was not his fault and then sped away. The girl suffered a fractured skull and was taken by helicopter to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando.
Kenyatta Henry, 23, is well-known to local police. Last November he was arrested after trying to flee from the police.
Immediately after the news broke, mayor Derrick Henry released a statement expressing his utmost concern for the young victim.“I believe that it is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of the child, and I trust that the legal proceedings will be conducted with full transparency and impartiality,” the statement said.
How is hit-and-run defined in Florida?
A driver can be charged with leaving the scene of a crash if the crash caused property damage, injury, or death. According to the law, the driver at fault is required to remain at the scene of the accident to exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver, assess property damage and provide assistance to people injured in the accident. If the accident resulted in injury or death, the police must be called.
Leaving the scene after injuring another road user is a first-degree felony and carries a sentence of up to 5 years in jail.
Note that approximately 1 in 4 accidents in Florida is a hit-and-run so the police may not be able to deploy enough resources to catch the fleeing driver. If you or a loved one were involved in a hit-and-run, you should contact skilled Daytona Beach car accident lawyers as soon as possible.
What to do after a hit-and-run?
While still at the crash scene try to find out if any of those present saw anything that might help you identify the driver. Write down anything they remember. Also, write a summary of the events. Seasoned Florida accident lawyers say that you should mention any details you remember, no matter how insignificant they may appear. It is often such small things that help victims identify the driver that hit them.
You should also look around for surveillance cameras that may have captured the crash. Tell your lawyers what you saw and let them deal with obtaining surveillance camera footage.
Tip: After a hit-and-run, you should use the power of social media to help you identify the driver. Write a short post describing the accident, mentioning the date, place, and any details of the suspect’s car. Ask your friends to share your post for maximum reach.
If you were recently injured in a hit-and-run or any other type of car accident in the Daytona Beach area, schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer at Pappas & Russell PA and let them help you with your claim.
Contact info:
213 Silver Beach Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida 32118
Phone: (386) 254-2941
Source: Daytona Beach police make arrest in reported hit-and-run incident that injured toddler
Photo: Daytona Beach Police Department
