LAKELAND, Fla. — A 10-month-old baby that was seriously injured in a crash involving a stolen vehicle early Monday morning died from their injuries, Lakeland Police say.
The baby was in a vehicle with its 19-year-old mother when a man driving a stolen car hit them nearly head-on, police say. The latest on the mother's condition is not known at this time.
According to a press release, shortly before midnight on Monday, an officer tried to pull over an Infinity EX35 SUV that was confirmed stolen out of Lake Hamilton. The officer spotted the vehicle traveling southbound on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Stephen Marra, ran from the stop and the officer pursued. During the chase, 29-year-old Demarcus Evans, a passenger in the car, rolled out as it slowed.
Police say Marra continued driving the stolen Infinity eastbound on George Jenkins Boulevard, approaching the intersection of Sloan Avenue.
Marra crossed into the westbound lanes of George Jenkins while still driving eastbound, officers say.
The officer pursuing Marra slowed down and continued driving in the eastbound lanes.
According to police, while traveling uphill, still in the wrong direction, and negotiating a curve, Marra hit a Nissan Altima that was driving westbound nearly head-on.
Police say a 19-year-old woman was driving the Nissan with her 10-month-old baby in the back seat. The baby was in a car seat, police say.
First responders got to the scene and started life-saving measures.
Marra, the 19-year-old mother, and the baby were taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital with serious injuries. Police say the mother and baby were then airlifted to a Tampa hospital.
The roadway was shut down for several hours Tuesday morning during the investigation.
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