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Woman Grabs Child, Flees Fatal Accident Scene

Hernando Today photo by TONY HOLT

The unidentified driver of a Pontiac Firebird died a short time after the crash.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE of The Tampa Tribune and TONY HOLT of Hernando Today

Published: January 5, 2008

Updated: 01/06/2008 08:43 am

SPRING HILL – A frantic woman cradled a crying child in her arms Saturday and ran from a serious accident she caused on U.S. 19 that later led to a person's death, witnesses and troopers say.

The woman, Barbara J. Diffendal, 42, of Spring Hill has been located by Hernando County deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers. She was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital for treatment.

Her daughter, Aalliyah J. Rivera, 4, wasn't injured, a Florida Highway Patrol release says.

The driver of the other vehicle was taken to Oak Hill Hospital before being pronounced dead. That Spring Hill woman's name has not been released.

Charges are pending further investigation, troopers said.

Diffendal was driving a 2007 Ford Mustang south on U.S. 19 when she jumped the median at a high rate of speed, witnesses said.

The Mustang rammed into the driver's side of a 1989 Pontiac Firebird heading north near the corner of Forest Oaks Boulevard.

Diana Kagle and David White were among those who saw the driver of the Mustang running away from the highway with the child.

Kagle noticed the girl was crying and asked the woman if she was OK.

"She said, 'The child is fine, get the hell out of my way,'" Kagle recalled. Her boyfriend, David White, was inside a nearby auto shop and told his employees to make sure the woman remained on the scene until deputies arrived.

She had other ideas.

"She took off running," White said.

The woman ran toward a Checkers restaurant at 4240 Commercial Way. One bystander said he watched her walk along the row of businesses before ducking behind an Amscot and running toward Arrowhead Avenue.

The driver of the Mustang was apprehended by authorities a short distance away near the corner of Thunderbird Avenue, witnesses said.

Deputies at the scene confirmed there was no child seat inside the vehicle. At least one bottle of prescription pills was found inside.

The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com. Reporter Josh Politilove can be reached at 813-259-7691 or jpoltilove@tampatrib.com. Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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