aunt remembers 1-year-old killed by vehicle on new smyrna beach© Alyssa Jasmine

The aunt of a 1-year-old girl who died after being struck by a vehicle on New Smyrna Beach over the weekend is speaking out only to WESH 2 News, sharing her family’s grief as a memorial continues to grow near the crash site.

Flowers, pictures, stuffed animals and seashells now line the area near E. 7th Avenue where Avery Lynn was hit Saturday afternoon. Family members say the toddler loved the beach and adored the color pink.

Avery’s aunt, Alyssa Jasmine, told WESH 2 News the family had been preparing to celebrate the child’s second birthday before tragedy struck.

“She wasn’t even two years old, and we’re preparing for her second birthday,” Jasmine said. “To be doing this for a celebration of life — it’s just not something you prepare for.”

According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Avery Lynn ran into the traffic lane on the beach near E. 7th Avenue and was struck by a vehicle around 4:30 p.m. Saturday. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood said investigators do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the crash.

Jasmine described Avery as a joyful child who loved being near the water.

“She loved the water. She just laughed all the time. Her laugh was contagious,” she said.

As the family mourns, they are also calling for changes to beach driving conditions in hopes of preventing future tragedies. Jasmine said she believes traffic on the beach could be made safer with adjustments such as one-way vehicle lanes and lower speed limits.

“I think the beaches should maybe be one-way,” she said. “There’s not enough room for two cars to be going two ways.”

She also suggested reducing the speed limit to 5 mph, saying current speeds may be too fast for drivers to react safely.

Volusia Beach Safety said personnel evaluate driving lanes daily and make adjustments throughout the day to maintain safe conditions. Officials also said additional staff are brought in during holidays and busy weekends, including Memorial Day weekend, to address vehicle-related concerns on the beach.

Despite the devastating loss, Jasmine said she does not blame anyone involved in the crash and instead hopes others take away an important message.

“Life is sacred, and it can be taken in the blink of an eye,” she said. “You have to be careful.”

The family is encouraging supporters to contribute to a fundraiser linked through a QR code displayed at the memorial site. They are also asking visitors to bring seashells, flowers or pink items in Avery’s memory.

SOURCE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/her-laugh-was-contagious-aunt-remembers-1-year-old-killed-by-vehicle-on-new-smyrna-beach/ar-AA2498S4?apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1