A tragic accident in Largo has claimed the lives of two young children and left several others seriously injured. The Largo Police Department reported that the collision occurred around 1:45 p.m. yesterday at the intersection of Orangeview Drive and Ridge Road. According to WTSP, a southbound Dodge Durango was involved in a crash with a Kia Soul that was in the process of making a left turn.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage in the collision, which resulted in the tragic loss of a 10-year-old and a 4-year-old child, who were confirmed dead at the scene. In a statement obtained by WFLA, a neighbor described the aftermath of the crash, saying, "I was the first one out. And when it happened, I was the first one out here. And immediately I started calling for somebody call 911 because there was a child, I kept saying his baby." The same source relayed concerns over high-speed driving in the area, a factor yet to be officially linked to the cause of the crash by authorities.
The University of Miami football player Adarius Hayes was identified as one of the drivers involved in the incident, as confirmed by the Largo Police Department's public information officer Megan Santo. However, alcohol does not appear to have played a role, as indicated by the preliminary investigation findings relayed by police officials.
In the aftermath of the crash, a portion of Ridge Road from Ulmerton Road to 8th Avenue was shut down for several hours but has since been reopened, as reported by ABC Action News.
