UPDATE: May 7, 2026:
A St. Petersburg man has been arrested in connection to a fatal multi-vehicle crash that killed a 17-year-old Seffner driver in Hillsborough County last month, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
FHP said 27-year-old Christopher Gage Everson was arrested at approximately 11 a.m. on May 7 following an extensive investigation into the April 11 crash on State Road 574 west of Chastain Road.
Troopers determined Everson, who was driving a Ford F-150 involved in the crash, fled the scene on foot after the collision. Investigators said he later used an Uber rideshare to travel back to his St. Petersburg home with his 8-year-old son.
Everson was transported to the Hillsborough County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He also faces a misdemeanor charge for failure to register a motor vehicle. Additional traffic citations were issued for no proof of insurance, following too closely, and not wearing a seat belt.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:56 p.m. on April 11. According to FHP, a Nissan Versa driven by 40-year-old Garry Baptiste of Mulberry was traveling eastbound on SR-574 when it crossed into the westbound lane and collided nearly head-on with a Volkswagen Passat driven by the 17-year-old Seffner male.
After the initial collision, both vehicles rotated into the roadway and the Volkswagen was struck by Everson’s westbound Ford F-150, which had been traveling behind the Passat.
Both drivers of the Nissan and Volkswagen were transported to area hospitals with serious injuries. The 17-year-old later died from injuries suffered in the crash. Baptiste remains hospitalized and has since been cited for careless driving.
— Initial Report April 12, 2026 —
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL– April 11, 2026 — A 17-year-old Seffner male has died following a multi-vehicle crash late Saturday night on State Road 574, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 10:56 p.m. west of Chastain Road. A Nissan Versa, driven by a 40-year-old man from Mulberry, was traveling eastbound on SR-574 when it crossed into the westbound lane and collided nearly head-on with a Volkswagen Passat driven by the 17-year-old.
After the initial impact, both vehicles rotated and came to rest in the roadway. The Volkswagen Passat was then struck by a Ford F-150 traveling westbound behind it.
Authorities said the driver of the Ford F-150 fled the scene on foot and remains at large.
Both the Nissan Versa driver and the Volkswagen Passat driver were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The 17-year-old later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Anyone with information about the identity of the Ford F-150 driver is urged to contact FHP by dialing *347 or call Crime Stoppers at **TIPS.
SOURCE: FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL
