WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A 30‑year‑old Winter Haven woman has been arrested and charged after a hit‑and‑run collision that killed an 8‑year‑old boy and critically injured a 10‑year‑old outside a church on Wednesday evening, authorities said.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred just before 8:30 p.m. on March 11 near Faith Baptist Church on Crystal Beach Road. The two boys had been attending a church event and were crossing the street when they were struck by a northbound vehicle that fled the scene.
Deputies later identified the suspected driver as Victoria Johnson, who investigators say admitted to using methamphetamine moments before the crash despite having a suspended driver’s license due to a prior DUI arrest.
After the collision, deputies say Johnson fled the scene and attempted to mislead investigators by reporting her dark‑colored SUV as stolen.
She later acknowledged she was the one driving and that she thought she “might have hit someone,” according to law enforcement statements.
Johnson was taken into custody on Thursday and charged with multiple offenses, including:
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Leaving the scene of a crash involving death
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Leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury
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Tampering with evidence
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Driving without a license causing death
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Filing a false police report to law enforcement
The 8‑year‑old boy died from his injuries, and the 10‑year‑old victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, with authorities reporting serious trauma.
Law enforcement said surveillance footage and vehicle debris at the scene helped identify the suspect vehicle. Deputies then tracked Johnson to a location and arrested her without incident.
In video from Johnson’s first court appearance, witnesses described her displaying erratic emotions, including laughter and disbelief, as a judge read her charges and set bond at $100,000.
Investigators also say Johnson met with acquaintances after the crash, used more methamphetamine, and attempted to dispose of the vehicle, according to court documents. Two of those individuals were later arrested on unrelated charges for resisting police.
Officials from Boswell Elementary School, where the deceased child was a student, issued heartfelt statements mourning the loss, noting the boy’s warm personality and close community ties.
“This is a terribly sad day for Boswell Elementary and our community,” a school spokesperson said. “He was well‑liked by his teachers and friends, and his loss is deeply felt.”
Winter Haven Woman Laughs After Fatal Hit‑and‑Run That Killed 8‑Year‑Old while high on Meth.
Video Credit: wfla.com