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A Florida woman accused of fleeing a hit-and-run accident that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen shaking her head and laughing during her first court appearance Friday as a judge read her charges via video conference.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said Victoria Johnson, 30, of Winter Haven was arrested Thursday and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury, tampering with evidence, driving without a license causing death and giving false information to law enforcement.
Johnson appeared before a judge on Friday during the first hearing held by video conference, where the charges were formally read.
During the trial, 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 hit-and-run accident that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen laughing in court as a judge read the charges in Polk County court on Friday. (WTVT)
After appearing to laugh in disbelief, Johnson was heard saying, “I wasn’t even in the car.
He was told not to talk about the facts of his case before the judge asked if he wanted to return on Saturday for further proceedings after securing a lawyer.
“I don’t know which one is better,” Johnson said.
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“I will not be able to give you advice, madam,” replied the judge. “I will appoint a public defender today if you wish.”
A Florida woman accused of fleeing a hit-and-run accident that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen laughing in court as a judge read the charges in Polk County court on Friday. (WTVT)
“Yes, please,” Johnson replied.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies received 911 calls from Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven reporting that two boys had been hit by a car before the driver fled the scene.
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The boys were at a church event trying to cross Crystal Beach Road when they were hit by a northbound vehicle, investigators said. An 8-year-old boy died from his injuries, while a 10-year-old boy suffered a broken arm, fractured femur and skull and remains in hospital in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses described the vehicle as a medium-dark colored SUV, and parts found at the scene were consistent with the lower part of the vehicle.
Surveillance video from the area shows a truck traveling southbound and another vehicle heading northbound. Audio from the footage suggests a second vehicle was hit before it was seen heading east, authorities said.
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A Florida woman accused of fleeing a hit-and-run accident that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen laughing in court as a judge read the charges in Polk County court on Friday. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators later learned that Johnson called officers Thursday to report that a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe had been stolen. When deputies found him, he initially said the car had been stolen the day before.
He later told deputies he borrowed the SUV from someone who didn’t return it before admitting he was driving Wednesday night and that he “thought he might have hit somebody.”
When deputies took Johnson to a substation for questioning, they saw the SUV being driven by Corey Stewart – a man who told investigators he had given the car to “get rid of it.”
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Deputies followed the SUV to a nearby location where Stewart and the passenger refused to get out. A search of the vehicle revealed damage, missing parts and organic matter possibly related to the pedestrian strike.
Johnson is said to have told investigators that he had driven for 20 minutes near his home but could not remember exactly the roads he took. The location he described was in line with the crash site, which is 2.8 miles from where he lives.
He also told deputies he had been listening to music and driving to relax and admitted his license was suspended following a DUI arrest. Johnson said he knows he shouldn’t have been driving and believes he will face criminal charges.
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Authorities say Johnson admitted to using methamphetamine before driving that night and later met Stewart at Circle K in Winter Haven, where he drove her in his SUV to a house where they used meth before going fishing at a nearby pond. Johnson later let him keep the car.
FOX 13 in Tampa reported that a public defender for Johnson has been appointed.
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“Frankly, this was a terrible accident, but when I read the affidavit, it doesn’t appear that he did anything to cause the accident,” his public defender said.
A judge ultimately set Johnson’s bond at $100,000. However, in another case he was arrested without bond for violating probation on a previous DUI charge in January.
