Headline Surfer® graphic / APOPKA -- A 16-year-old boy was backing up his family's SUV in the driveway of his relative's residence, not knowing that in an instant his life would be changed forever.
The teen had no idea that Amaris Martinez, nearly 2, had wandered out of her family's home in the 300 block of Avalone Drive, just as he was backing up the vehicle the afternoon of July 17, striking the toddler, troopers said.
The tragic toddler death comes in at No. 78 in the Headline Surfer® countdown of the top 100 stories of 2013.
Little Amaris Martinez, just eight days shy of her second birthday, was rushed by paramedics to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando where she succumbed to her critical head injuries less than an hour after the 3:20 p.m. accident, FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said.
Little Amaris Martinez was rushed by paramedics to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando where she succumbed to her critical head injuries less than an hour after the 3:20 p.m. accident, FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said.
The 2000 Ford sport utility vehicle was put in reverse by the teen when in a split second the child was struck by the left rear tire and run over in the process, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
The FHP report pointed out the teen had backed up the SUV after mowing the lawn so he could clean the driveway, not knowing the child had wandered from the side of the house.
Headline Surfer® has not identified the young driver because of his age and the tragic circumstances.
In an online obituary tribute listing for Amaris Martinez, her father, Jose A. Martinez, wrote: "My sleeping angel you will always be in my heart you left me and your mother beautiful memories i miss you baby girl your loving dad."
Amaris's mother, Maritza Espinoza, wrote: "You will always be in my heart baby girl."
A person who identified herself as "Eileen," wrote: "Martinez Family, Hola, I am too so sorry. I have had to suffer similar situation in the past. I truly know your hearts at this time. May the God of comfort be with you in this time. 11 Corinthians 1:3."
Obituary: Amaris Adalice Martinez-Espinoza, July 9, 2011 - July 17, 2013
Amaris Adalice Martinez-Espinoza, just shy of 2, tragically passed away on July 17, 2013. She was born in Orlando and lived in Apopka. She is survived by her parents; Maritza Espinoza and Jose Martinez; and her sisters LiLicina Marie Diaz-Espinoza and Julissa Jezlyn Martinez-Espinoza. Services were held in the Hamlin & Hilbish Chapel on Sunday, July 21, with Pastor Nelson Otero officiating. Interment followed in Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis.Counting 'em down: Headline Surfer® Ranking of the Top 100 Stories of 2013
RECAP:
78. Apopka teen backing up SUV in family driveway hits toddler who wandered outside -- killing her
79. Hernando County judge elevated to Tavares-based 5th circuit judgeship
80. New Smyrna Beach cops: Cocaine dealer shot in ankle during robbery
81. Stetson University in DeLand ranked prominently by US News & World Report, two other publications
82. Kissimmee man sentenced to five years in prison for downloading kiddie porn
83. Gov. Scott takes part in Patriot Day celebration at high school in St. Johns County
84. Day-long problems with E911 calls at Daytona emergency operations center back in September
85. St. Augustine man gets 35 years in prison for scaring elderly woman & her dog with air pistol in robbery attempt
86. WROD-Radio's Tracy Dillon shines morning spotlight on food drive
87. Harvick wins Sprint Unlimited under lights at Daytona
88. Sheriff: Nearly 5 dozen guns turned in during one-day amnesty at DeLand fairgrounds
89. Daytona State College foreign-languages chair honored
90. Daytona Beach cops: Pedestrian struck & killed by motorist trying to cross ISB two days before Thanksgiving
91. Orange City man sentenced to prison for shooting own brother
92. Seminole County Sheriff's helicopter looks for nighttime prowler in Lake Mary
93. Ponce Inlet turns to 'CodeRed' for mass alerts
94. DeLand man, 60, sentenced to life in prison for sexually battering 11-year-old boy
95. Volusia County GOP leader Tony Ledbetter named to key Florida Republican post
96. New Smyrna cop shop has first father-son on force.jpg){kind=small}
97. Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis waves green flag to start 2013 Daytona 500
98. Governor pays respects to 82-year-old Congressman in Orlando
99. New Smyrna Beach cops: Kind donation made for daughter of hit and run victim
100. VCSO: $9,000 worth of cigarettes stolen from DeBary convenience store in September