Girl Critically Injured in School Drop-Off Accident

A 12-year-old girl was critically injured after her mother accidentally ran her over during a school drop-off on the first day of classes at Booker Middle School in Sarasota, Florida. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. when the girl dropped her backpack, and while retrieving her items from under her mother's SUV, her mother began to drive away. The mother immediately stopped upon hearing her daughter's screams, but the girl was airlifted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital with critical injuries. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kenn Watson emphasized the importance of spatial awareness in school zones and expressed hope that such tragedies do not happen again. The school principal has urged parents to adhere to safety procedures during drop-off to prevent similar incidents. Following the accident, counselors were offered to students to address the emotional impact of the event.