Florida woman laughs in court over fatal hit-and-run charges
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A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old child was seen shaking her head and laughing as the judge read the charges against her via video conference during her first hearing Friday.
Victoria Johnson, 30, of Winter Haven, was arrested Thursday and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence, unlicensed driving causing death and providing false information to law enforcement, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.
Johnson appeared before the judge during the first hearing, which was held via video conference on Friday and the charges were officially read.
During the hearing, Johnson shook his head and was seen laughing on video as the judge read the charges against him.
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A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old child was seen laughing in court as the judge read the charges during a hearing in Polk County on Friday. (WTVT)
Laughing in disbelief, Johnson was heard saying, “I wasn’t even in the car.”
He was then told not to talk about the facts of his case before the judge asked if he wanted to return to continue on Saturday after finding a lawyer.
“I don’t know which is better,” Johnson said.
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“I can’t give you any advice, ma’am,” the judge replied. “If you want, I will appoint the public defender today.”
A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old child was seen laughing in court as the judge read the charges during a hearing in Polk County on Friday. (WTVT)
“Yes, please,” Johnson replied.
Just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies received a 911 call from Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven reporting that two children had been run over by a vehicle before the driver fled the scene.
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Investigators said the children were at a church event when they were trying to cross Crystal Beach Road when they were struck by a northbound vehicle. An 8-year-old boy died due to his injuries, while a 10-year-old boy suffered a broken arm, broken hip bone and skull fracture and was taken to hospital in critical but stable condition.
Eyewitnesses stated that the vehicle was a dark-colored, mid-size SUV and that the parts found at the scene of the accident were consistent with the underside of the vehicle.
Surveillance footage from the area showed a truck heading south and another vehicle heading north. Authorities said audio in the footage indicated the second vehicle hit something before it was seen turning eastbound.
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A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old child was seen laughing in court as the judge read the charges during a hearing in Polk County on Friday. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators later learned that Johnson called authorities Thursday to report that his dark blue 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe had been stolen. When deputies found him, he initially claimed the vehicle had been stolen the night before.
He later told deputies that he lent the SUV to someone but did not return it, that he was driving Wednesday night and “thought he might have hit someone.”
As deputies took Johnson to a substation for questioning, they found the SUV was being driven by Corey Stewart, the man he told investigators gave the vehicle “to get rid of.”
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Deputies followed the SUV to a nearby residence, where Stewart and a passenger initially refused to exit. A search of the vehicle revealed damage, missing parts and possible biological material consistent with a pedestrian collision.
Johnson allegedly told investigators that he had been wandering near his home for about 20 minutes but could not remember the exact routes he took. The area he described was consistent with the crash site; It was about 2.5 miles from his home.
He also told deputies that he listened to music and drove to relax, and acknowledged that his license was suspended following his DUI arrest. Johnson said he knew he shouldn’t have been driving and believed he would likely face felony charges.
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Authorities said Johnson admitted to using methamphetamine before driving that night and later meeting Stewart at the Circle K in Winter Haven, where they drove his SUV to a house where they used meth before going fishing at a nearby pond. Johnson then allowed him to keep the vehicle.
on FOX 13 tampa He reported that Johnson’s public defender has been appointed.
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“This was essentially a tragic and terrible accident, but reading the affidavit, I do not believe he did anything to cause the accident,” his lawyer said.
The judge ultimately set Johnson’s bond at $100,000. But in a separate case, he was held without bail for violating probation related to a previous drunken driving case in January.
