A traffic stop in Hillsborough County turned into a chaotic scene Wednesday afternoon when a convicted criminal sped away with a deputy hanging out of her car, collided with a school bus carrying middle schoolers, and was later discovered with a pipe bomb and drugs, according to authorities.
Deputies from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stopped a silver Kia Forte at 4:36 p.m. on Hillsborough Avenue West, just west of Dale Mabry Highway North. After determining probable cause to search the car, deputies attempted to extract the driver, 54-year-old Tonnetta Evans, from the vehicle.
Investigators stated that Evans refused to cooperate.
Instead, she moved into drive and accelerated eastbound on Hillsborough Avenue West, dragging a deputy who was still partially inside the vehicle.
Moments later, before deputies could begin a chase, Evans collided with a Pierce Middle School bus carrying 41 children, a driver, and an aide. No one was injured, and the bus incurred very minor damage. The pupils were transferred to another bus and returned home.
Deputies apprehended Evans and arrested her at the southbound Interstate 275 ramp near Howard and Armenia Avenues.
A search of the Kia, which had been reported stolen from Kentucky in 2022, discovered an explosive pipe bomb, brass knuckles, a stun gun, a bandolier stuffed with shotgun shells, and $1,100 in counterfeit $100 bills. Deputies also discovered methamphetamine, marijuana, many prescription medications, silver coins, and numerous credit and identification cards belonging to other people.
“This suspect showed a complete disregard for the safety of our deputy, other motorists and the children of our community, and we are extremely fortunate that no one was seriously hurt,” Sheriff Chad Chronister stated. “Thanks to the quick actions of our deputies, a dangerous career criminal who was driving around with a pipe bomb in her car is now off our streets.”
Evans, an 11-time convicted felon with previous convictions in Indiana and Kentucky for burglary, escape, identity theft, and drug use, is facing a slew of new allegations. Among them are aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer with a dangerous weapon, armed trafficking or possession charges, running to evade, leaving the scene of a school bus crash, tampering with evidence, and a number of weapons and identity theft offenses.
She was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from Kentucky for failing to appear on narcotics and identity theft charges. Sheriff’s authorities say the inquiry is still ongoing.
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