Driver Arrested, Teen Dead After Car Hits 5 Students Getting Off School Bus in Central Florida

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said John Camfield "ran through these children and scattered them like a bowling ball through bowling pins"

Sheriff's officials say they've arrested a former Mississippi law enforcement officer driver accused of fleeing after hitting five children when they got off a school bus in central Florida, leaving one teen dead.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a Friday news conference that two children were critically injured when the car hit them Thursday afternoon.

One of the students, 13-year-old Jahiem Robertson, later died from his injuries, officials said.

Judd said 48-year-old John Camfield injured a pregnant woman when he hit her car before being arrested by an off-duty sheriff's deputy.

"This drunk man in this car drove off of the road and ran through these children and scattered them like a bowling ball through bowling pins," Judd said.

The school bus had left the area when the children were hit. Officials said they are between 12 and 15 years old.

Judd says Camfield worked for 10 agencies in Mississippi before moving to Florida. He faces multiple charges including DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, DUI with serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash.

Local

Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.

Weekend races called off at Santa Anita Park with spring storm in the forecast

1 found dead, 1 in critical condition after Pacoima garage fire

Camfield was ordered held on $600,000 during his first court appearance Friday. A lawyer isn't listed on jail records.

Contact Us