NOCATEE, Fla. — An eight-year-old child was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition Tuesday after St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputies said he was hit by a UPS truck while riding an e-scooter in a Nocatee neighborhood.

A spokesperson with SJSO said on Tuesday, August 5, deputies responded to a crash on Crystal Sands Court involving a UPS truck and the child on the electric scooter. 

The child was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, and they are stable, deputies said. 

Deputies are investigating, however preliminary information shows the UPS driver had the right of way, according to investigators.

UPS released this statement to First Coast News, saying:

“We’re aware of a serious accident in Ponte Vedra Beach involving one of our vehicles. Our thoughts are with the person injured and their family. As this is an active investigation, we’re referring any additional questions to authorities.”

Taylor Levesque with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said deputies are increasing enforcement and education across the county.

“Especially when school starts, there’s going to be an increase in pedestrian traffic and car traffic as well and it’s important for the parents to get involved,” Levesque said. 

She said, over the summer of 2025, they’ve made contact with hundreds of electric scooter and bike users.

“We just want everyone to stay safe and ride safe and obey those traffic rules,” Levesque said.

The Sheriff’s Office said for the 2025 school year they’re launching a training program in St. John’s County schools, teaching kids how to use electric scooters safely to help prevent accidents like this one.