Driver Allegedly Flees Traffic Stop, Strikes Florida School Bus; Deputies Recover Suspected Explosive and Other Contraband

Body-camera footage released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) shows a routine traffic stop on Sept. 23 escalating into a dangerous incident when a driver refused to exit her vehicle, began driving with an officer partially inside, and collided with a school bus carrying 41 middle school students.

Deputies stopped a silver Kia Forte at about 4:36 p.m. on West Hillsborough Avenue, just west of North Dale Mabry Highway, after noting both brake lights were out. The driver identified by authorities as 54-year-old Tonnetta Evans told officers she had recently replaced a bulb and sometimes had to “wiggle it” to make it work. When asked for identification, Evans handed over an ID bearing the first name "Kirsten," HCSO said.

After deputies said they developed probable cause to search the vehicle, they attempted to remove Evans. Body-camera video shows officers repeatedly asking her to step out; she did not comply. As a deputy opened the driver-side door, Evans shifted the Kia into drive, moving the vehicle while the deputy remained partially inside, according to HCSO.

Moments later the Kia struck a Pierce Middle School bus transporting 41 students along with the bus driver and a bus aide. HCSO said the collision occurred before deputies could initiate a pursuit on an aggravated-battery investigation. No students were injured; the bus sustained only minor damage. Students were transferred to another bus and taken home.

Photo: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Deputies took Evans into custody near the Howard Avenue and Armenia Avenue ramp to the southbound lanes of Interstate 275, the sheriff’s office reported.

Items Recovered

During the arrest and vehicle search, deputies recovered a range of items HCSO described as contraband or evidence, including:

• a cylindrical object the agency characterized as a possible pipe bomb or explosive device (an X-ray image released by HCSO shows many small dense objects inside the cylinder);
• brass knuckles and an electric weapon;
• a bandolier of shotgun shells;
• identification and credit cards belonging to other people;
• $1,100 in counterfeit $100 bills and assorted coins;
• methamphetamine, marijuana and prescription pills;
• multiple license plates; HCSO said the Kia had been reported stolen in Kentucky in 2022.

Charges and Background

HCSO said Evans faces numerous charges, including aggravated battery on a law-enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, armed possession of methamphetamine, aggravated fleeing to elude, battery on a law-enforcement officer, felon in possession of ammunition, and felon in possession of an electric weapon or device. Additional counts include giving a false name to an officer, possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, three counts of possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, unlawful possession of the personal identification of another involving five or more items, tampering with physical evidence, attaching a tag not assigned, and leaving the scene of a crash involving a school bus.

HCSO also said Evans was arrested on a Kentucky failure-to-appear warrant for possession of methamphetamine and identity-theft-related charges. The sheriff’s office described Evans as a three-time Indiana State Prison releasee, a nine-time convicted felon in Indiana and a two-time convicted felon in Kentucky, with prior offenses that include escape, burglary (including burglary of vehicles), identity theft and narcotics crimes.

All parties are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.