Hit-and-run crash with full SUV in Collier County sends 2 children to hospital

A hit-and-run crash on US-41 in Collier County left one child seriously injured, another critically, Thursday night.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an SUV, driven by a 27-year-old woman from Ochopee, was traveling west on US-41, approaching Loop Road in Big Cypress National Park around 10:55 p.m. A second vehicle, of unknown make and model, was also traveling west on US-41, directly in front of the SUV. The driver of the SUV was inattentive, and the front of it collided with the rear of the second vehicle.

The unknown vehicle fled the scene west on US-41. The SUV traveled off the roadway right
and came to rest on the paved shoulder of westbound US-41.

The SUV had five children from Ochopee as passengers: four girls, ages 10, 8, 6 and under 1, and one 7-year-old boy. The 10-year-old and 8-year-old girls were sitting unrestrained in the front of the SUV, and the crash left them in critical and serious condition, respectively. Both girls were transported via MedFlight to Nicholas Children’s Hospital in Miami.

Anyone with information regarding the unknown second vehicle is asked to call the FHP at (850) 617-2302 or Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477.