A Charlotte County neighborhood is in shock after 12-year-old Eden was seriously injured in a scooter accident just as summer break began. Her grandmother says Eden remains unconscious and heavily sedated at St. Petersburg Hospital.
The crash happened along Easy Street , where many local kids often play. Now, families say they're keeping their children inside, too afraid to let them ride bikes or scooters.
“Something like this makes you think—how safe are we with our grandkids?” said neighbor Tammy Wilson.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Eden was riding her electric scooter when she entered the path of a minivan. The driver, Arlin Salazar , was arrested for not having a valid license—something she's been cited for before. FHP says a male passenger fled the scene and hasn’t been identified.
Neighbor Nicole Isgrig says she was outside with her children when the road was suddenly blocked by emergency responders. “We saw Eden’s scooter at the end of the road and knew something was wrong,” she said. Isgrig now won’t let her kids out of her sight. “They can only ride where I can see them.”
Her daughters, Brooklyn and Tesla, were friends with Eden and are struggling with what happened. “We always rode our bikes to her house to see if she could play,” Brooklyn said. “I just really hope she gets better.”
Eden suffered head trauma, internal bleeding, a broken collarbone, and a fractured lower back—but she was wearing a helmet, which her family believes saved her life.
The Florida Highway Patrol has referred Salazar’s case to ICE for review. Meanwhile, Eden’s grandmother is asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has Ring camera footage to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
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