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3-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run crash on I-4 in Polk County

Posted at 6:12 AM, Dec 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-24 00:12:32-05

A three-year-old was killed in a hit-and-run traffic crash in Polk County Sunday.

Florida Highway Patrol says 3-year-old Josiah King was sitting on the lap of a passenger in the back seat and was not restrained at the time of the crash. He died of his injuries.

A 7-year-old was also in the vehicle at the time of the accident, but suffered only minor injuries.

Family tells ABC Action News they are in shock and that Josiah King was the smartest toddler and quick as a whip even as a baby.

King was not in a car seat because the car was at capacity, according to a family member who says they knew it was not a good excuse.

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According to the report, two vehicles were traveling east on I-4, east of SR-559, when one changed lanes and collided with the left rear of the other.

The vehicle that was hit lost control and rotated to the center median, where it then collided with the guardrail.

The driver of the car that switched lanes failed to stop and continued on I-4. It is described as a light-colored sedan.

Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP by calling 813-558-1800 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800-226-8477.