One of two children struck by a car Tuesday night in Pompano Beach has died, the Broward Sheriff's Office confirms.
Deputies say 10-year-old Douglas Sams was pedaling his bike out of a private drive for Palmview Elementary School just before 6:30 p.m. An 11-year-old friend was riding on the back pegs of Sams' bike.
The boys attempted to cross Northeast First Avenue but entered the path of oncoming southbound traffic. Neither of the boys were wearing helmets at the time.
Deputies say 24-year-old Herbie Pierre-Paul, of Boca Raton, struck the boys as he headed southbound on First Avenue. Pierre-Paul told deputies that he could not see the school driveway because of a minivan that was parked there. The same minivan may have also prevented the boys from seeing the oncoming car.
"Once he did see the children, he tried to swerve to avoid hitting them, but he did strike them," said Gina Carter with BSO. Detectives say speed is not believed to be a contributing factor in the accident.
The boys were treated on the scene by Pompano Beach Fire Rescue and transported to area hospitals with critical injuries.
Sams died at the hospital as a result of his injuries. The 11-year-old boy is listed in critical but stable condition.
The 11-year-old boy's aunt, Latesha Barkely, told NBC 6 on Tuesday that her nephew was breathing okay, but had a broken leg and bruised lip.
It is not known whether Pierre-Paul will face any charges related to the crash.
An investigation is ongoing.
