LARGO, Fla. — The Largo Police Department (LPD) said a University of Miami football player has been arrested and charged for his role in a car crash that killed three people.
LPD said 20-year-old Adarius Hayes was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving with serious bodily harm.
The report said officers responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a Dodge Durango and a Kia Soul at the intersection of Orange View Drive and Ridge Road on May 10.
WATCH victim talk about crash to Tampa Bay 28 reporter Julie Salomone
Initial reports indicated the Dodge, driven by Hayes, was traveling at a high rate of speed and maneuvering aggressively through traffic shortly before the crash.
"It was discovered during the investigation at approximately five seconds prior to the fatal crash, Hayes made a rapid and dangerous maneuver, changing lanes from the curb lane to the median lane, crossing three lanes of traffic while overtaking other vehicles," said Police Chief Mike Loux.
Largo Police said the driver of the Kia, 78-year-old Gail Price, was making a legal left-hand turn when her car was struck on the passenger side by Hayes.
"The investigation revealed that Mr. Hayes' Durango was going approximately 78.9 mph one second prior to impact," said Chief Loux.
WATCH Largo PD provide details on Adarius Hayes' arrest
Police said as a result of the crash, two children, 10-year-old Jabari Elijah Solomon and 4-year-old Charlie Herbert Solomon Rivera, were ejected from the Kia and pronounced dead at the scene.
Price was hospitalized and later died from her injuries. The fourth passenger, 58-year-old Herbert Rivera, was taken to the hospital with serious injuries but survived the crash.
Rivera told Tampa Bay 28 his heart aches knowing he is the only one who survived the crash. He suffered broken bones and needed surgery.
"I have no words because every day I walk this way to get the bus to go to work, I see the flowers over there. It hurts," he said.
Flowers and three crosses mark the spot where the crash happened in Largo.
A warrant revealed Hayes was traveling 70.5 MPH five seconds before the crash, and accelerated to a maximum speed of 78.9 MPH in a 40 MPH zone at the time of the crash, per the report.
LPD said the investigation led police to conclude Hayes' speed, reckless lane changes and disregard for surrounding traffic led to the deaths of the three victims.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Former Israeli defense minister speaks in Sarasota as protesters demand arrest over alleged war crimes
Yoav Gallant spoke at a ticketed event hosted by the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, while protesters outside denounced his wartime actions and called for accountability.