7-Year-Old Girl Dies Days After She Was Hit By Car Outside Miami Pharmacy

A tragic accident in Miami has claimed the life of 7-year-old Stephanie Alonso, who was struck by a car outside a pharmacy earlier this week. Alonso passed away a few days after the incident, leaving her family devastated and sparking debate over elderly drivers’ safety on the road.

The Accident Outside the Pharmacy

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon outside the Navarro Discount Pharmacy located at Southwest 32nd Avenue and Coral Way in Miami. Stephanie Alonso was walking with her mother when an elderly driver mistakenly hit the gas pedal instead of the brakes. The car struck the young girl, pinning her against the pharmacy wall. According to her father, Joany Figueredo, the driver, a 92-year-old woman, appeared indifferent to the seriousness of the incident. “She hit my daughter, and she hit the wall,” Figueredo explained. “She got out of the car and acted like nothing happened.” Stephanie was rushed to the hospital by emergency medical personnel with critical head injuries. Despite doctors’ efforts, the severity of her injuries proved too much, and she passed away a few days later.

Family’s Grief and Concerns Over Elderly Drivers

The loss of Stephanie has left her family heartbroken, and her father is questioning why elderly drivers are still allowed behind the wheel without age restrictions. Figueredo expressed his frustration and grief in an emotional interview. “What is happening? Why is a person who is 92 years old driving? There should be an age limit for driving,” he said. His comments have reignited discussions on the safety of elderly drivers, particularly in states like Florida, where there is no specific age cap on driving. According to the Miami Herald, while Florida drivers over the age of 80 must renew their licenses every six years and pass a vision test, there is no maximum age for drivers.

Investigation and Possible Charges

Miami Police confirmed that the driver remained at the scene after the accident, and authorities are still investigating the incident. Although charges are pending, no official decisions have been made about legal action against the elderly driver.

The tragic accident involving Stephanie Alonso has brought attention to the potential dangers posed by elderly drivers, with many people questioning whether age-related health issues such as slowed reflexes and impaired vision should prompt stricter regulations for older individuals behind the wheel. The family, still mourning their young daughter’s loss, hopes that Stephanie’s death will spark change in the way driver licensing is managed, potentially preventing future tragedies like the one they have endured.