APOPKA, Fla. – A vehicle leaving the scene of an auto burglary Thursday morning in Apopka struck another vehicle that was carrying a mother and her two children, one of whom died as a result of the crash, according to police.
The Apopka Police Department responded around 8:09 a.m. to the area of Martin Place Boulevard regarding a vehicle burglary in progress, a news release stated. While officers were en route, a second call was received about a vehicle crash at the intersection of North Maine Avenue and Summit Street, police said.
Of the two vehicles involved in the crash, one of them had left the scene of the auto burglary and crashed into the other, which was occupied by a mother and her two children, according to police.
A 7-year-old passenger of the vehicle that was struck later died, police said. The driver of that vehicle, identified as the child’s mother, was hospitalized in stable condition at the time of this report, according to a statement. The second juvenile passenger in the vehicle that was struck — identified as a 6-year-old — had been treated and released from the hospital by 1 p.m., police said.
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The three were on their way to school when they were hit, according to police.
On Thursday afternoon police identified the suspect arrested in the crash, who was also hospitalized and is awaiting surgery for injuries suffered in the crash. Police say Marcus Antone Williams, 38, was observed burglarizing a vehicle in the Mainline subdivision, and when he was confronted by the vehicle’s owner he fled the area.
Williams’ arrest warrant shows he faces charges of felony murder, vehicular homicide, burglary to an unoccupied conveyance and driving with a license suspended, causing death.
The 7-year-old attended Apopka Elementary School, district officials said.
Apopka Elementary Principal Toni Buxton sent a message to parents, informing them of the child’s death. (Listen, below)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” she said. “We have grief counselors available on campus for any student or staff member who needs to speak with someone about this loss.”
The police department said in the statement that its thoughts and prayers were with the 7-year-old’s family.
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