PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A 15-year-old bicyclist died early Thursday morning in Hudson after he was hit by a car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
It happened around 6:30 a.m. at the intersection of Thompson Avenue and Kitten Trail, which is near several schools.
Brittany Nichols told us it happened right outside her yard.
"I started running towards the car, and then I saw the kid, and I'm yelling at the driver that hit him to call for help," Nichols explained.
The teenager was biking eastbound on Kitten Trail, which troopers said doesn't have lights. The bike also didn't have lights on it, according to FHP.
He was hit by a 31-year-old man from Hudson driving a Dodge Charger, who troopers said tried to avoid the crash but was unable to.
Neighbors told us they want to see changes so that children have a safe path to get to school.
"Why can’t we, on our side, get sidewalks or flashing signs... Speed bumps, slow down signs, I mean bigger signs that say the speed limit. What ever you have to do because there are children that walk through this yard to get to school," Brandon Bianco explained.
We contacted Pasco County and asked if this area is on its radar and how it planned to address people's concerns.
Friday, it sent us this statement:
"Pasco County extends our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and classmates of the young bicyclist involved in the fatal crash along Kitten Trail this week. We have secured grant funding to build a sidewalk along the south side of Kitten Trail from Hicks Road to Giddyup Lane, and design work will begin in the coming weeks. We’re also implementing a school speed zone on Kitten Trail from Hicks Road to ¼-mile east of Cobra Way. Additionally, we’re including this area in our annual review of roads that need streetlights. Pasco County is continually exploring funding options to create safer roadways in our communities for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. With nearly 2,000 miles of roads in Pasco, we have a lot of work to do, and we’re committed to finding solutions. We welcome the community’s help in identifying areas for improvement by filling out our online Traffic Operations Request Form. Safety in our growing communities will always be our top priority."
The teenager was not wearing a helmet, according to FHP. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Hudson Academy posted this statement:
“It is with a heavy heart that we are informing students and staff today about the passing of one of our Cobra students.
Due to an unfortunate accident on the way to school, Myles Farago was struck by a car. He is remembered as a kind, caring, and talented student. We have the crisis team on campus to help staff and students with their grief.
Please keep his family in your prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time."
The deadly crash comes less than two weeks before Christmas and just over a week after a 15-year-old in Lakeland was hit and killed by a school bus while he rode a bike.
If you want to donate to the GoFundMe organized for the family, click here.
