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11-year-old dies from injuries suffered while riding mini bike
by Teddy Kulmala
Staff writer
Whitney Smith
Whitney Smith
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ROWLAND — An 11-year-old girl has died from injuries she suffered when she was struck by a car while riding a miniature motorcycle, according to the state Highway Patrol.

Whitney Lou Smith, of 23 Freewill Lane in Rowland, was riding a Motovox mini bike down a private drive on June 14 when she failed to yield and entered Harleysville Road, according to a report by Trooper Jonathan Scott. She was struck by a 1996 Chevrolet van being driven by Keenan Allen Locklear, 29, of 814 Harleysville Road, according to the report.

Smith was taken to Southeastern Regional Medical Center, then transferred to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where she died on Monday, according to 1st Sgt. Ardeen Hunt.

The van was traveling an estimated 45 mph when it struck the bike, according to the report. The speed limit is 55 mph.

According to the report, Smith was not wearing any protective equipment. Hunt said that mini bikes like the one Smith was riding are not street legal.

Hunt said no charges are expected.

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Comments
(8)
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onlyGodknowsy
|
June 22, 2012
regardless of the situation,no one is to blame,accidents happen all the time,God always has a plan,people in our community an all around always love to point fingers an judge others,but God had a plan for this childs life an He knew this would happen from the day she was born cause He formed u an me in our mothers womb an Has all our lives planned out,Gods work cannot be prevented,an yea children r gonna have their fun,we all have,people shouldnt be pointing fingers an talking bout others instead they should be praying!
Reply
ReedyQLewis
|
June 21, 2012
That little girl could have been one of our grandchildren. My heart is heavy right now. Please take time out to pray for the family.
Reply
BBBD
|
June 20, 2012
Mini bikes, dirt bikes, four wheelers... nothing good comes from kids being on them.
Reply
Wolfpackdave
|
June 20, 2012
Let's not make dum comments someone baby is dead im sure u rode or done something u wernt suppose to when u were young.

rest in peace
judgenot120
|
June 21, 2012
it has nothing to do with the suv. its the lack of training and knowledge about the suv. try going to a dirt bike race and watching what those 4,5,6,7, year olds do on those bikes.
BBBD
|
June 21, 2012
Take your own advice, Dave. Kids get severely hurt or killed riding dirt bikes, mini bikes, and especially four wheelers all the time. The danger they pose to kids isn't worth the fun they may get out of riding. Mr. Judge, that's great that some five year olds can safely race minis on a closed course, but they are the exception.
judgenot120
|
June 22, 2012
mr./ms./mrs. bbbd, its judgenot, if you choose to adress me, please do so correctly. your original statement makes it sound like your blaming the suv's. i'm blaming it on the lack of knowledge presented to the child when there givin' the suv. it all boils down to the parents not doing what they should as parents. wolfpackdave, im pretty sure bbbd has or had a sheltered life, reading comments made, bbbd was probably scared of getting a cut or bruise, and lacked the enjoyment of childhood. im sorry to correct you bbbd but, it doesn't happen "all" the time.
BBBD
|
June 22, 2012
Judgenot, your judgement of me and my life couldn't be further from the truth. There's no such thing as a risk-free life, but sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry. ATVs (not SUVs) are better kept away from adolescents. As for his frequency of deaths occurring while riding ATVs, this site has over 20 this year already, and that does not include the death in this article nor do I believe it to be a comprehensive list of all deaths. http://atvsafetynet.org/parents.php?page=map It also does not include injuries. ATVs are dangerous for kids. It's not impossible for kids to operate them safely, but they aren't worth it In my opinion.

Good job of implicitly blaming this girl's parents for her death. I'm sure that will make them feel better during their time of sorrow.
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Happy 236th
Thousands of people were dazzled by the fireworks display at the annual Lumberton Family Fourth celebration at the Lumberton High School football stadium on Tuesday. Many watched the display from parking lots and sidewalks around town and from their own front yards. Before the show, attendees were treated to a performance by the Carolina Breakers, and a stunt by the Army Rangers, who parachuted onto the football field.

News
BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
Read More News
Sports
BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
Read More Sports
Opinion
BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
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BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
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BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
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BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.
BackWithRobeson
|
June 18, 2013
I agree with you MadeInBladen. I don't have a problem with them giving money to the communities. Its easy to say what you would do when you're not in that position. Looks like we have a bunch of armchair quarterbacks around here.
Reply
MadeInBladen
|
June 18, 2013
Why get rid of the funds, What about the kids who want to play little league and can't afford it? I understand that the commissioners know that it is the taxpayers money and it is going back to the community.
Reply
rhsgrad
|
June 18, 2013
I understand the cynicism but Hooray for the decision...it's a step in the right direction...and again, thank you to The Robesonian for staying on top of this story!
Reply
sagehopper
|
June 18, 2013
Self imposed impotence, if that's what you want to call it. I call it dereliction of duty, and lying under oath, because they all took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and it's laws. And they have NOT even attempted to follow immigration laws, let along prosecute them when they have been broken. The President and the Attorney General are prime offenders. Votes are at the bottom of any bill that considers amnesty or cutting into line, by border jumpers. It is a slap in the face by those who have done it legally. It also rewards lawbreaking. Just carry out the laws we already have in place. And believe me...there are enough on the books to keep any red-tape bureaucrat rolling in the clover for a long time.
Reply
BarbArity
|
June 18, 2013
I'd love to believe that but I'm afraid it is too little too late. The discretionary fund show be done away with and their salaries and stipends lowered. They're rushing to pacify and that is all.