Pregnant Tampa woman, child killed in I-75 crash

ELLENTON, Fla. - The Florida Highway Patrol says a pregnant Tampa woman, her unborn child, and another teen were killed after a tire blew on the car they were riding in on I-75 early this morning.

Investigators say 35-year-old Shakia Peterson was riding in a 2003 Ford Expedition Saturday morning on Interstate 75 in Manatee County when the SUV's left rear tire failed around 7:30 a.m.

According to the FHP, the driver, 45-year-old Freddie James, was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. It began rotating, entered a shoulder of the highway and began to overturn.

Three people were ejected from the SUV, according to FHP.

Peterson, who was reportedly 36 weeks pregant, died at the scene, as did her unborn baby. Two teens were flown to Bayfront Medical Center, where one of them, Roderick James, 14, died at the hospital, according to Manatee County Public Safety Captain Larry Leinhauser.

Lakia Dawkins, 12, suffered life-threatening injuries, Leinhauser said.

Freddie James and 5 other children were taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Caprice Dawkins, 10; Jerome Dawkins, 17; Fredquanda James, 10; and Jamkia Dawkins, 15, all suffered serious injuries, FHP reported. Martavius Dawkins, 16, was treated for minor injuries.

Martavius and both adults were wearing their seatbelts, all the other children were not, according to an accident report.

Leinhauser said no 911 call was made after the crash but that a Florida Highway Patrol Trooper came upon the crash quickly after it happened.

He said the group in the car was part of a large family that was traveling together.