9-year-old hit by car in Oakleaf, fire rescue says

Witnesses says boy was struck while riding his bicycle across road

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A 9-year-old was struck by a car Friday afternoon in the Oakleaf Plantation area, according to the Clay County Fire Rescue Department.

The accident was reported about 4 p.m. on Silver Bluff Boulevard off Plantation Oaks Boulevard.

John Ward, public information officer for Fire Rescue, said the child was taken to the hospital. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time.

Moe Mustafa told News4Jax that he was on his way to pick up his little brother from school nearby when he saw the car hit the boy crossing the road on a bicycle.

"As soon as I saw the little boy on the ground, I knew he got hit by a car. His bike was on the side of the street and there was a lot of people getting out of their cars. Everyone was confused," Mustafa said. 

The boy was wearing a helmet, which undoubtedly made a difference, Mustafa said. 

"He had a bit of blood coming out of his nose on a lower part of his face. It wasn’t clear if he hit his face at all, there was just visible blood coming out. And like I said, if he didn’t have his helmet on, there could’ve been a lot worse injuries to his head," Mustafa said.

The car that hit him was left with front-end damage and a shattered windshield. As people in the area rushed to help, Mustafa said, the child’s parents showed up too.

"Whenever they heard the word, his dad came running and then soon after, his mom came. And, obviously, they were distraught, but people helped out. There were good people here that helped out with keeping them calm and there was a lady that also talked to the lady that hit the little boy," he said.

Mustafa pointed out that there are no crosswalks in the immediate area, even with multiple subdivisions and Oakleaf Village Elementary School right down the street. 

"It’s very sad to see a little boy that got hit by a car like this and you always hope that it turns out a lot better and nothing bad happens to him and he, obviously, gets better," Mustafa said. 

There is no word yet on the possibility of the driver facing charges.