15-Year-Old Dies Following High-Speed Pursuit Crash in Pasco County

Teen Passenger Killed After High-Speed FHP Pursuit Ends in Crash on SR-54 in Pasco County

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published July 26th, 2026

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PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A 15-year-old passenger was killed and another teen was seriously injured after a high-speed pursuit with the Florida Highway Patrol ended in a crash early Sunday morning on State Road 54.

According to information sent directly to iSkyNews.com by the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident began at approximately 3:45 a.m. on July 26, 2026, when an FHP trooper observed a Chevrolet Traverse traveling 74 mph in a 45 mph zone along SR-54.

Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and fled, accelerating to speeds of 115 mph, investigators said.

East of Old County Road 54, the pursuing trooper successfully performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, causing the SUV to rotate toward the south shoulder of the roadway.

According to FHP, the vehicle first struck a utility pole before crashing into a tree.

Both occupants, identified as 15-year-old males from New Port Richey, suffered serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities said neither teen was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, and alcoholic beverages were found inside the vehicle.

The passenger later died from injuries sustained in the collision.

The juvenile driver remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol said criminal charges are pending, and the investigation remains active.

The roadway remained closed for several hours while troopers investigated the crash and was fully reopened at approximately 1:00 p.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol has not released the identities of either juvenile due to their ages.

Source: Florida Highway Patrol, sent directly to iSkyNews.com.

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