MANATEE COUNTY – A hit-and-run crash in Manatee County on Thursday afternoon left three young children seriously injured after a reckless driver forced a van off the road, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

The crash occurred at approximately 4:30 PM on Verna Bethany Road near Cline Road. According to FHP, an unidentified blue SUV was traveling northbound when it veered into the southbound lane, heading directly toward an oncoming mini-van.

To avoid a head-on collision, the van’s driver, a 33-year-old Myakka City man, swerved to the left, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway. The mini-van then struck a wooden power pole and overturned.

Inside the mini-van were four passengers, including three young children. A 4-year-old girl sustained critical injuries and remains hospitalized, while a 3-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy suffered serious injuries. The driver and an adult female passenger were uninjured.

According to witness reports, the driver of the SUV briefly stopped after the crash but then rapidly fled the scene. The suspect’s vehicle is described as a dark blue SUV with tinted windows.

The Florida Highway Patrol is asking anyone with information about the hit-and-run vehicle to contact **FHP (347) or Crime Stoppers.

Hit-and-Run Crashes: A Growing and Dangerous Epidemic

Hit-and-run accidents are on the rise, often leaving victims with severe injuries and little chance for immediate aid. Fleeing the scene of a crash, especially one involving injuries, is a felony offense in Florida and carries severe legal consequences.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV):

• Florida saw over 104,000 hit-and-run crashes in 2023, with thousands resulting in injuries or fatalities.
• More than 25% of all crashes in Florida involve a hit-and-run driver.
• Drivers who flee a crash involving serious injury face up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Drivers are legally required to stop after a crash, provide assistance, and report the accident. Fleeing only worsens the consequences and leaves injured victims without the help they desperately need.

If you have any information about this crash or the suspect vehicle, please contact authorities immediately.

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