Teh One Who Knocks
04-10-2014, 10:42 AM
FOX News and The Associated Press
A vehicle slammed into a daycare center in Winter Park, Fla. on Wednesday, killing one child and injuring 14 people, at least 12 of them children, authorities said.
A statement released by the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Wednesday evening confirmed that one child had been killed in the incident at Goldenrod Road KinderCare, 10 miles northeast of Orlando. In addition the hospital said they were treating one child in critical condition, and five in serious condition. Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Wanda Diaz said that a girl had died at the hospital, but had no further information.
Diaz said the tragedy was caused by a Toyota Solara convertible that went out of control after it was rear-ended by a Dodge Durango, jumped a curb and smashed into the daycare, breaking through the wall and into the building. The convertible driver, identified as 61-year-old Albert Dean Campbell, was not injured.
The Durango left the scene but was located almost two hours later after it had been abandoned at a home. The highway patrol said it is looking for 26-year-old Robert Corchado, who has been arrested eight times since 2000, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. Troopers said he was the driver of the Durango, but wouldn't say how they established that.
Department of Corrections records show Corchado has served prison time for trafficking cocaine and extortion.
Corchado's most recent arrest was on a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, a felony charge of selling narcotics and felony marijuana possession last December. He was out on more than $10,000 bond and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense attorney in that case, Jack Kaleita, didn't return a phone call or email after business hours.
Troopers said Corchado may be trying to leave the area, and troopers and deputies headed to Orlando International Airport to look for him. Early Thursday, the Highway Patrol said it was looking for a white or black Mazda small that Corchado had rented from an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location in Winter Park.
The Associated Press called a number listed to Corchado. A man answered the phone, but hung up when he was asked, "May I speak to Robert Corchado?"
In all, 13 people were hospitalized and two others were treated at the scene, said John Mulhall, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Rescue.
Several of the injured at the center in Winter Park were reported to be in "very, very serious condition," Diaz said.
"Please keep a lookout and let us know if you see anything," said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who called the crash an "absolute tragedy and disaster."
Florida Gov. Rick Scott released a statement saying, "As a grandfather of three young children, I can't imagine losing such a precious life at such a young age. Today's hit-and-run was an act of cowardice, and members of the Florida Highway Patrol are working closely with local law enforcement to bring those who caused this crash to justice."
Local television footage showed small children and infants in cribs taken outside on the day care's playground and several of the injured were carried out on stretchers.
The highway patrol reported that the injured were taken to five different hospitals.
Late Wednesday afternoon parents could be seen waiting to pick up their children, and then clutching them in their arms as they were escorted to their vehicles by authorities.
The day care's website says the center provides childcare and learning opportunities for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old and has been in the community for over 25 years.
A vehicle slammed into a daycare center in Winter Park, Fla. on Wednesday, killing one child and injuring 14 people, at least 12 of them children, authorities said.
A statement released by the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Wednesday evening confirmed that one child had been killed in the incident at Goldenrod Road KinderCare, 10 miles northeast of Orlando. In addition the hospital said they were treating one child in critical condition, and five in serious condition. Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Wanda Diaz said that a girl had died at the hospital, but had no further information.
Diaz said the tragedy was caused by a Toyota Solara convertible that went out of control after it was rear-ended by a Dodge Durango, jumped a curb and smashed into the daycare, breaking through the wall and into the building. The convertible driver, identified as 61-year-old Albert Dean Campbell, was not injured.
The Durango left the scene but was located almost two hours later after it had been abandoned at a home. The highway patrol said it is looking for 26-year-old Robert Corchado, who has been arrested eight times since 2000, according to Florida Department of Law Enforcement records. Troopers said he was the driver of the Durango, but wouldn't say how they established that.
Department of Corrections records show Corchado has served prison time for trafficking cocaine and extortion.
Corchado's most recent arrest was on a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving damage, a felony charge of selling narcotics and felony marijuana possession last December. He was out on more than $10,000 bond and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. His defense attorney in that case, Jack Kaleita, didn't return a phone call or email after business hours.
Troopers said Corchado may be trying to leave the area, and troopers and deputies headed to Orlando International Airport to look for him. Early Thursday, the Highway Patrol said it was looking for a white or black Mazda small that Corchado had rented from an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location in Winter Park.
The Associated Press called a number listed to Corchado. A man answered the phone, but hung up when he was asked, "May I speak to Robert Corchado?"
In all, 13 people were hospitalized and two others were treated at the scene, said John Mulhall, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Rescue.
Several of the injured at the center in Winter Park were reported to be in "very, very serious condition," Diaz said.
"Please keep a lookout and let us know if you see anything," said Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, who called the crash an "absolute tragedy and disaster."
Florida Gov. Rick Scott released a statement saying, "As a grandfather of three young children, I can't imagine losing such a precious life at such a young age. Today's hit-and-run was an act of cowardice, and members of the Florida Highway Patrol are working closely with local law enforcement to bring those who caused this crash to justice."
Local television footage showed small children and infants in cribs taken outside on the day care's playground and several of the injured were carried out on stretchers.
The highway patrol reported that the injured were taken to five different hospitals.
Late Wednesday afternoon parents could be seen waiting to pick up their children, and then clutching them in their arms as they were escorted to their vehicles by authorities.
The day care's website says the center provides childcare and learning opportunities for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old and has been in the community for over 25 years.