NAVARRE — Among the flowers and stuffed animals left at a memorial for Natalie Santos are a few photos of the 10-year-old girl and her father, Jayson Santos.
He and Natalie’s stepmother, Angel Santos, dropped off remembrances Friday at the memorial on Clifford Street that Natalie frequented. They met some of the friends the fifth-grader at Wright Elementary School loved so much.
“She had a big heart and really cared about everyone around her,” Jayson said later at his home in Navarre. “If she had the answer to fix anything, she would have.”
Natalie died Thursday morning after she ran into the path of a sport utility vehicle on Clifford the previous evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The FHP continues to investigate the accident.
“The man upstairs is lucky to have her,” Jayson said. “He’s very lucky.”
Natalie leaves behind an enormous family who loves her very much, Jayson said. Many were able to be by her side at the hospital.
“We had the whole surgical waiting room packed,” he said. “It was something else.”
Natalie always wanted to be a big sister, Jayson said. It took a little time to adjust to her younger sisters, 17-month-old Lily Marie Santos and 4-year-old Tattianna Santos. After a talk about family with Jayson, she took on a sweet, loving attitude with them.
“She would try to help out as much as she could,” he said.
Natalie loved swimming in the family pool, no matter the weather. She was full of energy and played hard, especially with her stepbrothers and stepsisters, Santana Medina, Dominique Medina, Keanu Medina and Xavian Salter.
“She enjoyed life,” Angel Santos said.
A Give Forward account has been created in Natalie Santos’ honor at www.giveforward.com.
