Teen Driver Tore License Plate From Car After Fiery FL Crash, Hid In Chicken Coop

SUMTER COUNTY, FL — The teenage driver in a fiery single-car crash in Sumter County that left a 16-year-old boy dead and a 15-year-old boy seriously injured on Monday afternoon faces multiple felony charges, Florida Highway Patrol said.

The 17-year-old boy was driving recklessly and speeding on the highway when he tried to overtake slower traffic and drove off the road to avoid a collision just before 3 p.m., FHP said.

His car erupted into flames after he drove into the outside shoulder and hit a tree.

There were five teens from Inverness in the car at the time of the crash.

After the collision, the driver tore the license plate from the car and ran from the scene, FHP said.

State troopers and Sumter County Sheriff’s Office deputies tracked him to a nearby chicken coop, where he was taken into custody.

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All five teens were brought to area hospitals, where the 16-year-old died from his injuries.

The driver and two other boys, ages 13 and 17, suffered minor injuries in the crash.

The driver was arrested as a juvenile on multiple felony charges, including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of the crash involving death, FHP said.

While FHP named the teenage driver, it’s Patch policy not to name minors who are charged with crimes as a juvenile.

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