A Florida motorist accused of trying to escape a traffic stop crashed head-on into a school bus carrying 19 children, then left his wrecked vehicle and ran, authorities said.
The Tuesday morning crash was recorded on video, including footage showing the vehicle striking the Sumter County school bus and body camera video of a deputy pursuing the suspect on foot before taking him into custody.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said all 19 children on the bus were safe and did not suffer injuries.
Qahiem Williams, 23, faces several charges after authorities said he fled a traffic stop and crashed into a school bus with 19 children on board. (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office)
The episode began at about 7:20 a.m. as a deputy assigned to school-zone traffic enforcement near The Villages Intermediate Center saw 23-year-old Qahiem Williams allegedly traveling 17 mph above the posted speed limit on County Road 466 near Tatonka Terrace.
The sheriff’s office said the deputy turned around and switched on his emergency lights to pull Williams over, but Williams allegedly sped away and sideswiped two vehicles stopped at a traffic light.
A Florida driver accused of fleeing a traffic stop hit a school bus head-on Tuesday morning while 19 children were aboard, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said. (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office)
Investigators said those earlier impacts damaged the axle of Williams’ vehicle, leading to the head-on collision with the Sumter County school bus on County Road 103.
Video taken from inside the bus shows the collision, with the driver’s side door of Williams’ vehicle appearing to open moments before impact.
Williams then allegedly got out of the vehicle and fled on foot, according to the sheriff’s office.
Body camera video shows a deputy pursuing Williams before apprehending him near a Walmart.
Police body camera footage shows a deputy chasing a suspect on foot after authorities said he fled the scene of a crash involving a Florida school bus. (Sumter County Sheriff’s Office)
Williams was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including fleeing or eluding, driving with a suspended license, possession of marijuana, leaving the scene of a crash, resisting an officer, hit-and-run and a moving traffic violation, according to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office website.
Authorities said Williams also had two outstanding Sumter County warrants for fleeing or eluding and driving with a suspended license.
Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden condemned the alleged actions, saying they put children’s lives in danger.
“I have zero tolerance when it comes to actions that put our children’s lives in danger,” Breeden said in a statement.
“This suspect has a history of this type of behavior and our community is safer with him off our streets,” he added.
Williams was medically cleared before being transported to the Sumter County Detention Center, where authorities said he was being held without bond.
