Lake Alfred, Fla. (970 WFLA) - A man fleeing police caused a crash that killed a 5-year-old boy riding in his car, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said. A Lake Alfred police officer tried to make a traffic stop on Austin Cabanas, 26, at about 8:36 p.m. on Shinn Boulevard. Instead of stopping, Cabanas ran a red light and crashed into another car, according to a news release from the PCSO, which says it investigates the case.
Ayden Cabanas, 5, was not secured in a car seat, the PCSO said, and suffered head trauma. Rescuers airlifted him to St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa, where he died. Three-year-old Evee Cabana and 24-year-old Shannon Yawn also riding in the car at the time of the crash went to the hospital. Yawn has been released. Deputies say only that Evee was in stable condition.
Austin Cabanas had a suspended driver's license. He complained of chest pains and went to Lakeland Regional Health, where his blood tested positive for methamphetamine. Further tests will determine if it was enough to impair his driving, deputies said. More charges besides one for driving with a suspended license could come.
Yawn told investigators that Cabanas may have been speeding, but that she was unaware that a Lake Alfred officer trailed his car.
Cole Etheridge, 23, drove the other car involved. His passenger, 25-year-old Ty Etheridge, both reported only minor soreness from the collision.
Mugshot of Austin Cabanas from the Polk County Jail.