Neptune Beach community shocked after 15-year-old killed in overnight crash – Action News Jax

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – A 15-year-old was struck and killed by a car in Neptune Beach late Friday evening, leaving a community and family now reeling.

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“His parents and family are just devastated,” Neptune Beach Police Chief Michael Key said Saturday morning. “I sat with them [Friday] Night in her living room and there are just no words to express the loss of a child.”

According to the Neptune Beach Police Department, it all happened on Friday night at 10:10 p.m. as this teenager was riding his bike home from the Fletcher High School homecoming football game with a friend. That's when a car traveling along Penman Road struck the 15-year-old, who later died from his injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Her friend was unhurt.

Neptune Beach police said Saturday morning that the driver of that car and several witnesses all stopped at the scene and were cooperating with the investigation.

“Things like this don’t happen in Neptune Beach, they’re very rare,” said Chief Key. “Our community is extremely, extremely close-knit.”

READ: NBPD: 15-year-old bicyclist killed in Neptune Beach crash while leaving Fletcher High School football game

As questions remain and FHP investigates what factors led to this overnight tragedy in Neptune Beach, one message remains:

“Today I would just say: Hug your child. Because we all warn our children to be careful, but that's something when tragedy strikes and affects so many people,” said Neptune Beach Mayor Elaine Brown.

Action News Jax has reached out to FHP for updates on the investigation and is awaiting a response.

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