Troopers Arrest Driver of Truck That Fled Injury Crash Involving Multiple Children in Hillsborough County

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Troopers Arrest Driver of Truck That Fled Injury Crash Involving Multiple Children in Hillsborough County

Update: December 28, 2017

Billy Noel Catherwood, age 63 of Naples, was located and  arrested in Manatee County several hours after the crash occurred. Catherwood, after providing  a breath sample of 0.15, was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of a crash

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Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) are searching for the driver of a truck that fled a serious injury crash Wednesday night on I-75.

Investigators say that at approximately 8:26 p.m. on Wednesday, December, 27, 2017, a white in color Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling southbound on I-75 approaching SR-674.  The truck was traveling at a high rate of speed in the center lane near the 242 milepost.

Jesus Sandoval, age 35 of Ruskin, was traveling southbound on I-75 approaching SR-674 in the center lane in a 2004 Ford Explorer.

Troopers say the F-150 overtook and collided with the rear of the Explorer which was re-directed and overturned in the center grass median.

As the Explorer overturned, both 8 year-old Sahirys Sandoval and 6 year-old Ashley Sandoval were ejected from the vehicle. A third child was in the vehicle, 10 year-old Rodner Sandoval, who was seriously injured along with Sahirys.  Ashley’s injuries are being described as critical. Jesus Sandoval was left with minor injuries.

The report from FHP indicates that neither Rodner nor Ashley utilized a seatbelt or child restraint device.

The driver of the F-150 continued southbound on I-75, failing to stop following the crash. Troopers located the vehicle abandoned just after 10:00 PM on I-75 near the 229 milepost.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FHP by calling *FHP or 813-558-1800.