Couple Visiting FL Fatally Hit By Car While Walking With Daughter, 7

LAKELAND, FL — A Massachusetts couple is dead after being hit by a car while walking with their 7-year-old daughter in Lakeland, Florida Wednesday night.

Ronald Jeanbaptiste, 54, and Yanique Pierre, 46, from Everett, were attempting to cross South Florida Avenue eastbound in the crosswalk when they were hit by a Toyota Yaris at 10:49 p.m., the city of Lakeland said in a news release.

The driver, identified as Rexyanna Honors, 22, from Lakeland, had been traveling through the intersection of Imperial Boulevard while heading southbound on South Florida Avenue, officials added. Jeanbaptiste and Pierre died at the scene.

"Preliminary evidence and witness statements indicate the driver of the Yaris had a green light while traveling through the intersection of Imperial Boulevard," according to officials. "There were no environmental contributors to the crash and the driver of the Yaris did not exhibit obvious indications of impairment at the scene."

Honors, who was uninjured, remained at the scene and was not injured.

No charges have been filed nor have any citations been issued, though the investigation is ongoing.

The couple was visiting Lakeland from Everett and staying at a nearby hotel with their daughter, who was a few feet away at the time of the crash but not hit. She has since been placed in the care of family members, according to officials.

Police are urging with information regarding the crash to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at travis.payne@lakelandgov.net.