WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (CBS12) — A 30-year-old woman was arrested Thursday after a hit-and-run crash claimed the life of an 8-year-old boy and seriously injured a 10-year-old.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Victoria Johnson of Winter Haven fled the scene of the incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday near Faith Baptist Church on Crystal Beach Road. The two boys had briefly crossed the street to attend a church event.
Deputies reported that Johnson's truck struck the children as they attempted to return, killing the 8-year-old on impact. The 10-year-old was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital with severe injuries, including a broken arm, broken femur, and a compound skull fracture. He remains in critical but stable condition.
Authorities narrowed their search for Johnson's vehicle to a dark SUV using surveillance footage and debris from the scene. Johnson later contacted the Sheriff's Office to report her 2009 blue Hyundai Santa Fe stolen, but her conflicting accounts raised suspicions. Initially, she claimed it was stolen, then stated she had loaned it to someone, and finally said she had given it to a man named Corey Stewart.
While deputies questioned Johnson, they discovered her damaged Hyundai on SR 60 in Lake Wales. Stewart and a passenger led deputies on a brief pursuit before barricading themselves in a home. Both were taken into custody and charged with resisting arrest.
Investigation revealed that Johnson admitted to using methamphetamine prior to driving that night. She faces multiple charges, including:
- Leaving the scene of a crash with death
- Leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury
- Tampering with evidence
- Driving without a license, causing death
- Providing false information to law enforcement.