Toddler Dies After Being Struck by Two Vehicles While Following Family Dog in Daytona Beach

North Halifax Street near Plaza Boulevard in Daytona Beach, Florida. The intersection is near the site where a 1-year-old child was hit and killed by two cars after wandering into the street while chasing their dog

A 1½-year-old boy tragically died after being struck by two motor vehicles Wednesday night while following the family dog out of his home on the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard, according to the Daytona Beach Police Department.

At approximately 8:21 p.m., officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting that a small child had been hit by two vehicles. The child had followed the family dog, which had escaped from the residence, into the street. The dog was unharmed in the incident.

The first impact came from a 2003 Honda CR-V, which struck the toddler and propelled him into the southbound lanes of North Halifax Avenue. There, a second vehicle—a 2012 Chevy Silverado—also struck the child.

Skidmarks are shown after daybreak Thursday of a horrific fatal accident in which a toddler followed a family dog out of a home and onto the roadway of the 2900 block of North Halifax Avenue near Plaza Boulevard, and was struck by two motor vehicles shortly before 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Police arriving at the scene found the toddler in the roadway with severe injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Halifax Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

According to a police statement, both drivers remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The preliminary investigation confirmed the child had exited the home while following the dog and entered the street, where he was struck by the two vehicles.

William Rhodes, Director of Operations at the Daytona Beach Police Department, commented on the tragedy, noting the unpredictable nature of young children. “Obviously, those of us who are parents know that little kids are quick and fast,” he said. Rhodes also confirmed that the child’s father had been working on a sprinkler system in the yard at the time of the incident.

The police emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, and no further details have been released at this time.