WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — UPDATE: Victoria Johnson is being accused of using methamphetamine the night she allegedly hit two children with her car and fled the scene, per PCSO.
WATCH: Julie Salomone's report
The judge found probable cause for all five charges, which include leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
She is being held without bond for a parole violation.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Johnson for running over two children and fleeing the scene.
Deputies said they identified Johnson, 30, after a daylong investigation involving traffic homicide detectives, patrol units, and crime analysts. The 2009 blue Hyundai Santa Fe she allegedly drove was seized in Lake Wales with damage and evidence consistent with a pedestrian strike.
WATCH: UPDATE: Polk County deputies arrest suspect in deadly hit-and-run involving 2 children
Johnson faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene with serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence, filing a false report, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. Deputies say she also has a prior DUI arrest from November 2025.
Original story:
The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) said an 8-year-old boy is dead and a 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after a hit-and-run outside a church in Winter Haven on Wednesday night.
PCSO detectives have located the vehicle believed to be involved in the fatal hit-and-run crash in the Lake Wales area. Detectives are also questioning at least two people, as they work to get a search warrant to seize the vehicle and continue the investigation.
PCSO said deputies were dispatched to Faith Baptist Church on Crystal Beach Road just before 8:30 p.m. on March 11.
Deputies said a preliminary investigation revealed the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road, before the incident, about to cross the street to attend a church function.
After a truck passed by, the children were starting to make their way across the street when they were both hit by a northbound vehicle, per deputies.
PCSO said the vehicle then continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road and turned in an unknown direction. The report said witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
Officials said the 8-year-old boy died from his injuries and the 10-year-old boy was hospitalized in critical condition with a broken leg, broken arm and a skull fracture.
Chris Butler lives about a mile from the church. He said drivers frequently treat Crystal Beach Road like a speedway.
“All through the day, the cars will come through here just rolling. I think the speed limit is 30 and they’re doing way more than that,” Butler said.
We reached out to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about the crash history near Crystal Beach and Winter Lake Roads. Two other crashes have already happened there this year. In 2025, deputies responded to seven.
“I wish they’d do something with this road and slow the traffic down on it. It's crazy but until they do that this is going to keep happening,” Butler said.
We also checked with Polk County Roads and Drainage Division about adding speed bumps.
Director Jay Jarvis said in a statement, "With regards to Speed Humps, due to this being a Collector Road and not meeting the spacing for residential driveway connections along the road; this location would not meet the Board adopted Traffic Calming Policy requirements for Speed Humps."
Deputies ask anyone who has any information about this case to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you want to remain anonymous, PCSO said you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.
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