Kidnapping Victim Distracts Abductor, Prompts Crash

A 34-year-old Seminole woman escaped from her abductor’s clutches early Tuesday morning by creating a diversion as he drove through Brandon.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say the incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. when Angela Tibbets got into an argument with Ray Walker, 29, at an unknown location in the eastern part of the county. Tibbets pulled over the 1997 Honda she was driving and got out. Ray Walker of St. Petersburg, the sole passenger, also got out of the car and began striking Tibbets in the face and head with his fists and elbows, an email from sheriff’s office spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

Tibbets was knocked unconscious during the attack, suffering facial fractures, a jaw fracture, contusions and a laceration. Walker is accused of picking up Tibbets and throwing her into the Honda’s trunk.

He then drove to the area of Windhorst Road, between Lakewood Drive and Parsons Avenue. Tibbets regained consciousness at this point and was able to crawl from the trunk into the back seat through an access point. She then tried to get Walker to stop the car and attempted to get help by standing in the sunroof.

During the commotion, Walker drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle, Carter said.

Tibbets was rescued and taken to a local hospital. She required surgery due to the heavy facial injuries suffered, Carter said.

Walker was also taken to a local hospital for treatment following the crash. When he’s released, he’ll be booked into the Hillsborough County Jail on one count of aggravated battery and a count of kidnapping.

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