One Dead after Burglars Fleeing from Police Collide with Car in Kissimmee

A burglary in Osceola County a little over a week ago led to a police chase through the streets of Kissimmee and, sadly, a collision which resulted in the death of at least one individual. According to the report from the Florida Highway Patrol, the fatal accident took place after three teenagers, aged 14, 16, and 17, entered a pawn shop located on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway.

It was just before 1:30 on a Tuesday when a deputy on patrol with the Osceola Police Department passed by the Value Pawn and Jewelry Shop and noticed a green Toyota 4Runner parked before the building. The most unusual thing was that the car was running, with its lights on, and backed up against the pawn shop’s front doors. When the deputy pulled into the parking lot, they saw that a smashed window at the front of the business. While the deputy watched, two of the suspects, both wearing black ski masks, climbed out of this window, climbed into the Toyota, and careened out of the shop’s parking lot.

The deputy gave chase, but was quickly called off by a commanding officer after it was reported that the SUV was driving erratically, running multiple red lights, and traveling far over the speed limit. The commanding officer deemed that it would be too dangerous for the deputy to continue pursuing, and the deputy obeyed the order to desist.

Unfortunately, the three boys in the car were either unaware that the police officer had backed off or were too overcome with their own fear to care. They continued to drive in the same manner, running multiple red lights, and driving faster and faster until, about two miles away from where the police officer stopped their chase, the Toyota, now traveling down US-192, went through a final red light and collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Impala that was trying to pass through the intersection to turn left onto Parkway Boulevard.

Emergency response teams rushed the driver of the Impala, the 37-year-old Calvin Spann, to Osceola Regional Hospital, but the extent of his injuries made it impossible for the doctors to save him. He was declared dead on Wednesday afternoon, a day after the crash took place.

The three teenagers were also badly injured in the crash and transported to Osceola Regional Hospital. The 14-year-old boy was then transferred to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. While the physical condition of the three boys is not known, the Florida Highway Patrol did indicate that each of them will face numerous charges including grand theft, criminal mischief, and burglary. Any charges relating to the death of the Impala’s driver are waiting for the conclusion of the Florida Highway Patrol’s homicide investigation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.