Families in Kissimmee and Poinciana are mourning today, after a mini- van driver hit and killed a 13-year-old Kissimmee girl on her way to school last week.
Polk County deputies said Mariana Perez Borroto was riding her bicycle to Lake Marion Creek Middle School just before 8 a.m. on April 3, when she was hit at the intersection of Homorossa Rd. and Sarasota Ct. Mariana was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where she later died.
Deputies arrested Micaela Coronel, 25, for driving without a license causing death—a third degree felony. According to an Orlando Sentinel article, Coronel told deputies she couldn’t see the child because condensation was blocking most of her windshield. Coronel was behind the wheel driving her own child to school when the crash happened.
Mariana’s principal, Johna Jozwiak said the school community is just devastated. “Mariana was a bright and sweet-natured girl who possessed a very polite and calm manner,” Jozwiak said. “She enjoyed studying history and loved spending her free time sketching in notebooks.”
The community is gathering to remember Mariana’s life and grieve together Tuesday night. A candlelight vigil will be held April 9th at 7 p.m. at the intersection of Homosassa Rd. and Sarasota Ct. in Kissimmee.
We at Bike/Walk Central Florida offer our condolences to Mariana’s family and friends. One fatal cycling accident is too many. Central Florida has unfortunately lived up to its reputation as the deadliest area in the country for pedestrians and cyclists. We will continue to advocate for transportation infrastructure for all users and work to educate drivers about yielding to and looking out for more vulnerable people such as those walking and bicycling.
