2 Kids Hurt In Polk County Rollover Crash, Woman Charged With DUI

FROSTPROOF, FL — An Orlando woman is facing multiple charges after authorities said she caused multiple car crashes that injured two children and several others on a Polk County highway last week.

Ashauntie Cox, 32, was charged with several counts following the Friday crashes, including driving under the influence, negligent child abuse, and reckless driving, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

According to authorities, Cox was driving a blue Kia on southbound Highway 27 around 8 p.m. when she hit a Chevy Silverado truck near the intersection of Highway 98. Authorities said Cox fled the scene of the crash.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Cox continued on Highway 27, speeding and weaving in and out of slow-moving traffic. At one point, authorities said she rear-ended a Honda CRV while trying to pass it and the vehicle next to it.

According to authorities, the impact of the collision caused Cox's vehicle to flip several times. Two children, ages 5 and 8, were ejected from the car during the crash, authorities said. Both were taken to Tampa General Hospital, where they are in critical condition, authorities said.

A 27-year-old female passenger in Cox's vehicle was also seriously injured in the crash, authorities said. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.

The driver of the Honda CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and released, authorities said.

When deputies arrived at the crash scene, authorities said they smelled marijuana and found a bottle of tequila in Cox's vehicle. After she was taken to the hospital, Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old's kindergarten graduation, police said. According to authorities, Cox admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day and drinking four tequila shots.

Cox was booked into Polk County Jail, authorities said. Additional charges are pending.