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A Florida woman, accused in a tragic hit-and-run that resulted in the death of an 8-year-old boy, exhibited unexpected behavior during her initial court appearance on Friday. The incident unfolded as Victoria Johnson, a 30-year-old resident of Winter Haven, faced a judge via video conference for a formal reading of her charges.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson was apprehended on Thursday. She faces multiple serious charges: fleeing the scene of a fatal crash, leaving the scene with serious injuries, tampering with evidence, operating a vehicle without a license resulting in death, and providing false information to law enforcement.
During the video conference hearing, observers noted Johnson’s reaction as the judge detailed the charges. She was seen shaking her head and laughing, an action that drew attention and sparked further controversy.
This case has garnered significant public interest, particularly due to the nature of the charges and Johnson’s courtroom demeanor. The hearing in Polk County, broadcast on video, has highlighted the severity of the accusations and the somber circumstances surrounding the young victim’s death.
A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen laughing in court as a judge read the charges in a Polk County hearing Friday. (WTVT)
After appearing to laugh in disbelief, Johnson was heard saying, “I wasn’t even in the car.”
She was then told not to speak about the facts of her case before the judge asked whether she wanted to return Saturday for a continuance after securing an attorney.
“I don’t know which one is better,” Johnson said.
“I can’t give you any advice, ma’am,” the judge responded. “I’ll appoint the public defender today if you want me to.”
A Florida woman accused of fleeing a crash that killed an 8-year-old boy was seen laughing in court as a judge read the charges in a Polk County hearing Friday. (WTVT)
“Yes, please,” Johnson replied.
Just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, deputies received 911 calls from Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven reporting two boys had been run over by a vehicle before the driver fled the scene.
The boys were at a church event and attempting to cross Crystal Beach Road when they were struck by a northbound vehicle, investigators said. An 8-year-old boy died from his injuries, while a 10-year-old boy suffered a broken arm, broken femur and compound skull fracture and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses described the vehicle as a dark-colored mid-sized SUV, and parts found at the crash scene were consistent with the lower portion of the vehicle.
Surveillance video from the area showed a truck traveling southbound and another vehicle heading north. Audio from the footage suggested something was struck by the second vehicle before it was seen turning east, authorities said.
Deputies followed the SUV to a nearby residence where Stewart and a passenger initially refused to come outside. A search of the vehicle revealed damage, missing parts and possible biological material consistent with a pedestrian strike.
Johnson allegedly told investigators she had been driving around near her home for about 20 minutes but could not recall the exact roads she traveled. The area she described was consistent with the crash location, about 2.8 miles from her residence.
She also told deputies she had been listening to music and driving to relax and acknowledged her license had been suspended following a DUI arrest. Johnson said she knew she was not supposed to be driving and believed she would likely face felony charges.
Authorities said Johnson admitted using methamphetamine before driving that night and later met Stewart at a Circle K in Winter Haven, where he drove her SUV to a house where they used meth before going fishing at a nearby pond. Johnson later allowed him to keep the vehicle.
FOX 13 in Tampa reported that Johnson’s public defender had been appointed.
“This was, in fact, a tragic, terrible accident, but upon my reading of the affidavit, it doesn’t really seem that anything she did to cause the accident,” her public defender said.
The judge ultimately set Johnson’s bond at $100,000. However, in a separate case she was held without bond for violating probation tied to a previous DUI case in January.