14 Year-Old Loses Control of a SUV on I-4 Seriously Injuring Six Others Including His Mom in Hillsborough County
Posted: April 16, 2017 – 9:15 a.m.
A 14 year-old boy, Armani Sandi De Jesus of Tampa crashed a 2000 Ford Explorer on I-4 Saturday evening. The crash occurred in the westbound lanes of I-4 near mile-marker 4 at approximately 7:05 p.m.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, he was traveling westbound on I-4 approaching near the 4 milepost and attempted to change from the outside to the center lane. While attempting the lane change, he noticed another vehicle occupying the center lane and over-corrected to avoid a collision. As a result of the over-correction, he lost control of the Ford SUV, left the roadway and collided with the outside barrier wall.
Portions of westbound I-4 were closed for several hours during the investigation.
The 14 year-old’s mother, Amanda Teresa Rossiter, age 32 of Tampa, was in the SUV at the time of the crash.
Both Santi De Jesus and his mother were transported to Tampa General with serious injuries according to Troopers.
There was also a 3 year-old and two 6 year-olds that were also in SUV with their father, 34 year-old Louis Gabino Serrano Soto of Tampa. The three children and their father were also transported to Tampa General with serious injuries.
The seventh person in the vehicle was a 16 year-old boy from Tampa that was evaluated with minor injuries. He was a friend of the 14 year-old driver.
Santi De Jesus was charged with careless driving and driving without a license and additional charges are pending as a result of the ongoing investigation.
All occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash according to the press release.
IONTB has found court documents in Hillsborough County that indicates Rossiter’s driver’s license is currently suspended due to failure to pay a penalty in a prior criminal traffic case. The February 2017 suspension was related to a case from July 2013. As a result of this case, she was adjudicated guilty in July 2014 of driving without a driver’s license. The courts shows a outstanding balance of $482.00 with the last payment of $7 in 2013.
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