Uber to Escape: St. Pete Man Arrested for Fleeing Fatal Crash with Child

iSkyNews and Media May 07, 2026

Photo Credit: FHP

By Ciara Perez, Senior Multimedia Correspondent

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published May 7th, 2026

News Brief: What We Know

The Incident: A nearly head-on collision occurred on SR-574 west of Chastain Road on April 11, 2026.

The Victim: A 17-year-old male from Seffner tragically died from injuries sustained in the multi-vehicle wreck.

The Arrest: Christopher Gage Everson, 27, was arrested on May 7, 2026, after fleeing the scene of the fatal crash.

The Shocking Detail: Everson allegedly fled the scene on foot with his 8-year-old son and called an Uber to escape to St. Petersburg.

Uber to Escape: St. Pete Man Arrested for Fleeing Fatal Crash with Child

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Following a weeks-long investigation, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Troopers have arrested a St. Petersburg man who allegedly abandoned a fatal crash scene, choosing to summon a rideshare to flee the area with his young child.

The initial tragedy unfolded late on the night of April 11, 2026, on SR-574. According to FHP, 40-year-old Garry Baptiste of Mulberry was driving a Nissan Versa eastbound when he crossed into the westbound lanes, striking a Volkswagen Passat nearly head-on.

The driver of the Passat, a 17-year-old Seffner teenager, was then struck a second time by a trailing Ford F150. While both Baptiste and the teenager were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, the 17-year-old later succumbed to his wounds.

However, the driver of the third vehicle—the Ford F150—did not stay to help. Authorities say Christopher Gage Everson, 27, fled the scene on foot. An extensive investigation has now revealed that Everson did not just run; he reportedly summoned an Uber to transport himself and his 8-year-old son from the wreckage back to their home in St. Petersburg.

FHP Troopers caught up with Everson at 11:00 AM on May 7th. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail and faces a litany of charges, including:

Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death (1 Count, Felony)

Failure to Register a Motor Vehicle

No Proof of Insurance

Following Too Closely

Driver Not Wearing a Seat Belt

The driver who initiated the collision, Garry Baptiste, has been cited for Careless Driving and remains hospitalized.

The loss of a 17-year-old life has sent shockwaves through the Seffner community, compounded by the callous nature of a driver fleeing the scene while a child was in his care.