Child killed, mother injured in Plant City hit-and-run crash

PLANT CITY, Fla. - Hillsborough County deputies are searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed 5-year-old Elijah Rogers Saturday night and injured his mother. Investigators identified what they are calling a "vehicle of interest" in the case. It's described as a light-colored sedan, but they are not sure what type of car it is yet.

Deputies said the car was seen in the area when the crash happened and the driver may have witnessed the incident, which happened around 9:30 p.m. Saturday night on Rogers Road in Plant City. 

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Sonya Gay and her husband Robert say speeding is common on Rogers Road and have noticed multiple drivers fail to obey the stop sign. They're hoping what happened can bring improvements to a road they believe is in desperate need of them.

"I was in bed and I jumped up and looked and there were sirens and cars everywhere," Sonya Gay said.

Deputies said a mother was walking with her child when the car hit them both. They said the vehicle then sped off. When deputies arrived, they immediately began CPR until Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews arrived and took over life-saving efforts. The child was taken by BayFlight to Tampa General Hospital and died.  The mother was also hurt, but is expected to survive.

"It makes me feel really bad. I knew the kid," said Robert Gay. "I saw the kid before. He seemed like a really nice person." 

If you recognize the vehicle or have any information about what happened, you are asked to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200.