Sheriff: Ex-officer accused of DUI in crash that hurt 5 kids

WTSP CBSPOINCIANA, Fla. (WTSP) A longtime law enforcement officer faces charges after hitting five children Thursday after they got off of their school bus, according to the Polk County sheriff. Two of the children are in critical condition.

John Camfield, 48, of Davenport struck the children who attend Dundee Ridge Middle Academy on Allegheny Road near Athabasca in Poinciana, and then hit a parked car about 5 p.m., according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

He had been planning his wedding in a few months.

A witness was driving northbound behind Camfield, according to the sheriff’s office, and saw him lean forward in the vehicle and then drive off the road. The witness then saw Camfield strike the students.

Camfield, according to the sheriff’s office, struck 15-year-old Jonte Robinson with a glancing blow and struck him with the passenger side of the vehicle to his left arm and left leg. Jonte was complaining of pain to his wrist and ankle.

Camfield continued north on the shoulder striking 14-year-old Jasmine Robertson with a glancing blow. Jasmine complained of back pain.

Rylan Pryce, 12, was also struck by the car with a glancing blow and complained of pain to his left arm.

Camfield continued off the road struck two students – 13-year-old Jahiem Robertson (Jasmine’s brother) and 13-year-old Juan Mena. Both Robertson and Mena sustained serious, life-threatening injuries to included spinal injuries, facial fractures, and head trauma.

Jahiem — who is in extremely critical condition — and Juan were both airlifted to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando.

Camfield was arrested Thursday and faces two counts DUI with serious bodily injury, two counts leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, two counts leaving the scene of a crash with bodily injury, three counts DUI with injury and property damage, and reckless driving.

Camfield was caught by Jonathan Quintana, an off-duty Polk County deputy, who lives in the area and was alerted to the crash when he got a call from his screaming daughter, who saw the accident.

.According to Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, Camfield worked for 10 law enforcement agencies from 1994 to 2012 in Mississippi.

Judd said a former employer said that Camfield was one of the very best detectives but he had a problem with alcohol. Judd said that Camfield used to say he had a relationship with Captain Morgan, a brand of rum.

Judd said that Camfield had arrests in Mississippi on charges of DUI, driving with a suspended license and public intoxication.

Seven hours after the crash his blood alcohol level was .14, Judd said.

Judd said that Camfield was so drunk during his arrest he fell into the deputy’s patrol car.