SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A 23-year-old man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop, crashing into two vehicles, and colliding with a school bus.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. on County Road 466 near Tatonka Terrace, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Authorities reported that the bus, carrying 19 children, was not involved in the injuries.
Deputies said they observed Qahiem Williams speeding, traveling 17 mph over the limit. Upon initiating a traffic stop, Williams reportedly accelerated, sideswiping two vehicles at a traffic light and subsequently colliding head-on with Sumter County school bus No. 7818 on County Road 103.
Video footage released by the sheriff's office captured the pursuit through a nearby Walmart parking lot before Williams was taken into custody.
Williams was medically cleared and taken to the Sumter County Detention Center. He is being held without bond on multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, and leaving the scene of a crash. Additional charges may be pending.
Authorities confirmed Williams has two outstanding warrants for similar offenses. Sheriff Pat Breeden stated, “I have zero tolerance when it comes to actions that put our children's lives in danger,” emphasizing the suspect's prior history with such incidents.