A Florida driver allegedly fleeing a traffic stop collided head-on with a school bus carrying 19 children before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning and was captured on video, including footage of the crash and police body camera video showing a deputy chasing and arresting the suspect.
All 19 children aboard the bus were reported safe and uninjured by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The incident began around 7:20 a.m. when a deputy conducting school-zone traffic enforcement in front of The Villages Intermediate Center observed Qahiem Williams, 23, allegedly driving 17 mph over the posted speed limit on County Road 466 near Tatonka Terrace.
The sheriff’s office stated that the deputy made a U-turn and activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, but Williams allegedly accelerated and sideswiped two vehicles at a traffic light. Authorities reported that the collisions damaged the axle of Williams’ vehicle, leading to a head-on collision with a Sumter County school bus on County Road 103.
Video from inside the bus shows the collision, with the driver’s side door of Williams’ vehicle appearing to open moments before impact. Following the crash, Williams allegedly exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Body camera footage shows a deputy pursuing Williams and apprehending him near a Walmart. 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 noted that Williams also had two outstanding warrants in Sumter County for fleeing or eluding and driving with a suspended license. Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden condemned the alleged actions, stating they endangered children's lives. "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." Williams was medically cleared before being transported to the Sumter County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.