Suspect vehicle found in Winter Park day care crash; Person of interest sought

Officials say 1 child died, up to 15 hurt after crash sent vehicle into KinderCare

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol says it is seeking a person of interest and have found the vehicle suspected to be involved in a crash at an Orange County day care that killed one child and injured more than a dozen people.

8 children were transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children after the crash. As of Thursday, one child had died, one is in critical condition, three are in serious condition and one is in fair condition. Two kids were well enough to return home.

WKMG-TV reported Robert Corchado, 26, was identified as a person of interest in the crash, which happened around 3:05 p.m. Wednesday at the KinderCare Learning Center at 4035 Goldenrod Road in Winter Park.

Robert Corchado

FHP described Corchado as "dangerous" and said he may be trying to take a flight, as he was spotted at Orlando International Airport.

Wednesday night, FHP said Corchado made it to the airport and rented a Mazda CX-1 SUV with a Florida license plate CHR-Q41. Troopers said the car could be black or white. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is asking anyone who sees the vehicle and can determine the color to call 407-737-2200.

Records show Corchado was arrested in 2013 on charges of careless driving, hit-and-run and leaving the scene of property damage. He is currently awaiting trial.

Arnold Palmer Hospital officials said later Wednesday that one child died in the crash. One patient is in critical condition, five are in serious condition and one patient has been discharged, according to officials.

According to Orange County Fire Rescue, a Dodge Durango ran another vehicle off the road, causing the other car to crash into the day care. Officials were searching for the Dodge Durango and its driver, who didn't stop after the crash.

Authorities said just before 6 p.m. that they found a vehicle that they believe was involved in the crash on Orange and Walnut avenues in Winter Park. Troopers said the vehicle matches the description, has damage and was towed away from the scene.

Two people were treated on the scene and 13 were taken to hospitals, according to Orange County Fire Rescue. Orange County Fire Rescue said 50 children were inside of the day care at the time of the crash, and all children are accounted for.

The day care was evacuated after the crash. Goldenrod Road was closed in the area near University Boulevard as the investigation continued, but the roadway later reopened.

WKMG-TV was there as the car, appearing to be a Toyota Solara, was pulled out of the day care on Wednesday evening.

Some parents arrived at the day care after learning of the crash and were trying to learn the whereabouts of their children. Orange County Fire Rescue said the uninjured children were put in a safe place and day care officials were taking roll call to reunite the children with their parents.

A s

mall memorial was held outside of the day care Wednesday night.

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs called the crash "an absolute tragedy and disaster."

Jeezy Jenkins told WKMG he was repairing the roof of the Marathon gas station next to the daycare, when he heard screeching tires. He looked up and saw the crash, and a silver Dodge Durango speeding off.

He said he jumped off the roof to see if he could help. When he looked inside the day care, he says he saw small children, seriously injured, lying on the ground.

"There was other ones that weren't moving at all, and the teachers were giving them CPR and stuff like that," he said.