Hillsborough County, Fla. — A traffic stop escalated when a driver attempted to flee with a deputy partially inside her vehicle and then struck a school bus carrying 41 students, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). No students were reported injured. Deputies later reported finding an explosive device they described as a pipe bomb, along with drugs, counterfeit cash, and other items in the car.
The stop and the attempted flight
In a statement and bodycam video released by HCSO, deputies said they pulled over a silver Kia Forte around 4:36 p.m. because both brake lights were out. The driver, identified by HCSO as 54-year-old Tonnetta Evans, initially handed over what deputies described as a driver’s license and gave the name “Kirsten,” according to the footage and the agency’s account.
Deputies said they developed probable cause to search the vehicle. Evans was described as uncooperative and refused to exit. While a deputy was partially inside the car during the encounter, the driver attempted to flee, HCSO stated.
Crash with school bus; no reported injuries
“Immediately after fleeing, and before a pursuit could be initiated based on the aggravated battery, Evans struck a school bus carrying 41 Pierce Middle School students, the bus driver, and a bus aide,” HCSO’s statement said. The bus sustained minor damage, and no students were injured, according to the agency. Students were transferred to another bus and taken home.
HCSO said Evans was apprehended and arrested shortly after the collision.
What deputies say they found in the car
HCSO said the following items were recovered during a search of the vehicle:
- Explosive device described by deputies as a pipe bomb
- Brass knuckles and a Taser
- Bandolier of shotgun shells
- Three identification cards belonging to other individuals
- Four credit cards belonging to other individuals
- Counterfeit $100 bills totaling $1,100
- Silver half-dollars and coins
- Methamphetamine, marijuana, and multiple prescription pills
Arrest and charges
HCSO reported that Evans was booked on more than a dozen 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
- Felon in possession of an electric weapon or device
- False name to a law enforcement officer
- Possession of cannabis less than 20 grams
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription (3 counts)
- Unlawful possession of the personal identification of another (5 or more)
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Attaching a tag not assigned
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving a school bus (hit and run)
HCSO records show Evans, of Dover, Florida, was being held without bond at Falkenburg Road Jail.
Prior record and vehicle status, per HCSO
The sheriff’s office said Evans has prior felony convictions in two states: nine in Indiana and two in Kentucky, and is a three-time Indiana State Prison releasee. The agency added that her out-of-state record includes escape, burglary, vehicle burglary, theft of identity, and narcotics possession. HCSO said she was also arrested on a Kentucky failure-to-appear warrant for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and theft of identity of another without consent.
During the investigation, deputies said they learned the Kia was reported stolen out of Kentucky in 2022.
Quote from the sheriff
“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 said in a statement. “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.”
