A 13-year-old boy from Loxahatchee, Florida, tragically passed away from injuries sustained in a dirt bike collision, authorities confirmed. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported that the young teen, identified as Kareem Hodge, was involved in a crash while riding a dirt bike on February 6 and succumbed to his injuries six days later yesterday, as per CBS12 News.
The accident occurred when Hodge was riding a 2021 Yamaha dirt bike illegally on the sidewalk along Orange Boulevard and collided with a Nissan Murano at the service exit of Acreage Pines Elementary School. The boy was quickly airlifted to St. Mary's Medical Center, where despite efforts to save him, he ultimately did not survive his injuries, the Sheriff's Office noted. The driver of the Nissan, a 54-year-old man, remained at the scene following the incident.
Kareem Hodge's tragic death has since prompted an outpouring of community support, with a prayer vigil being held on February 9. His family has expressed gratitude towards those offering condolences and assistance during this difficult time. "The family would like to thank the community for the thoughts and prayers. Special thanks to The Western Pines Middle School students and staff, Christ Fellowship of Westlake Youth Group and extra special thanks to the PICU staff of St. Mary's Hospital," a family spokesperson said in a statement obtained by CBS12 News.
In a show of support, the community has begun to establish a makeshift memorial near the crash site, where tributes in the form of flowers and messages have been accumulating. Furthermore, a GoFundMe page was created to commemorate Hodge's life. "In loving memory of Kareem Hodge, a bright soul whose time with us was cut short unexpectedly," the GoFundMe page description reads, WPTV reports. "Kareem brought laughter and happiness to everyone he met, and his absence leaves a profound sadness in our hearts."
According to a WPTV interview, Kareem's aunt Shakara Hodge, and family friend Shevon Banks revealed that the boy's mother had lost her husband six months ago. As the Hodge family navigates this compounded grief, the support from local institutions like Western Pines Middle School, St. Mary's Medical Center staff, and the Youth Group at Christ Fellowship of Westlake, has been acknowledged and greatly appreciated.
