Kaitlyn Kohler, 27, was killed in May 2023 while crossing U.S. 1 in St. Lucie County. According to investigators, a St. Lucie County Sheriff's deputy was responding to assist with a traffic stop and was traveling about 100 mph without emergency lights or sirens activated when Kohler entered the crosswalk against a Do Not Walk signal. The deputy was later cleared of any criminal wrongdoing, and no criminal charges were filed.
Kohler's mother, Brandi Kohler, says the memorial has been removed three separate times after they received approval to have it there. "We just want to grieve in peace. We want to be able to grieve her and not have to keep fighting," Brandi Kohler said.
She drives by the memorial twice a day and said, "I always smile at her beautiful face." The family says they have been informed that multiple complaints have led to requests for the memorial to be removed. Brandi said someone riding a motorcycle claimed debris from the site got into his wheel and he almost crashed, prompting the Florida Department of Transportation to call them.
On Tuesday, the memorial was removed once again. Brandi says they contacted a representative with FDOT who later acknowledged it should not have happened and that they would be putting the memorial back the following day. As of Wednesday morning, the memorial was returned to the site where the crash happened.
"Just let us have our last piece of our daughter. This is the last piece of our daughter. Just let us have it in peace," Brandi said.