Latest news with #LaurenHowells
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
New details emerge in Largo hit-and-run case that left mother, daughter injured
LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) — New details highlight how a trip to Walmart Thursday turned into a nightmare for a mother and her 6-year-old little girl. Largo police said it started with 32-year-old Lauren Howells behind the wheel. University of Miami football player involved in deadly Largo crash 'She was recklessly driving in the parking lot of the Walmart,' Largo Police Chief Mike Loux said. 'Ultimately, she hit a vehicle.' 'She hit a mother and the mother's 6-year-old daughter,' he continued. Loux said Howells crashed into Cristiane Souza de Oliveira and her daughter, Aylla, as they were leaving the store. The story didn't end there, Loux explained. 'The mother was thrown, and she was hit with the vehicle and the 6-year-old was trapped underneath the vehicle for approximately 500 feet as that vehicle tried to flee the parking lot,' Loux said. Court documents detailed their injuries, saying the mother suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed. The affidavit said her daughter was severely injured. Some of those injuries included two broken legs, a broken arm, and skull and pelvic gave an update on their conditions Monday. 'The daughter is in serious critical condition as you can imagine,' Loux said. 'The mother is also still in the hospital.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Hit-and-run driver's extraordinary resemblance to VERY famous prison inmate
A Florida woman has been charged over a hit-and-run which injured a mom and left her young daughter fighting for her life. Lauren Howells, 32, plowed into the victims at a Walmart parking lot in Largo on Thursday, according to police. She was booked into Pinellas County Jail and had a mugshot taken, which has since drawn comparisons to Piper Chapman, the fictional inmate in the Netflix show Orange is the New Black. Howells allegedly struck Cristiane Souza de Oliveira and six-year-old Aylla Rodrigues, leaving the child with life-threatening injuries and the mom with serious injuries. 'We are just hoping that this child is able to make it through,' Largo police spokeswoman Megan Santo told FOX13. As of Friday morning, both victims were still in the hospital, police said. Howells' car was later traced to a Days Inn, but she was picked up at a different motel. Police pulled over another car registered to her as part of a traffic stop and determined her location. 'During the interview, Howells admitted to driving the vehicle, hitting something, and leaving the scene,' Largo Police said in a statement. Howells is facing several driving offences charges including reckless driving with serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a crash. 'For the family involved, we are very, very just heartbroken and our hearts go out to them because that was never supposed to be a part of their evening,' Santo added. However, many online commenters were more focused on the uncanny resemblance between her and her Orange is the New Black doppelganger, played by Taylor Schilling. Howells' mugshot shows her sporting an orange jumpsuit, just like the one worn by Schilling for much of her time on screen. The show follows Schilling's character as she navigates a new life in prison following a conviction for money laundering and drug trafficking. Howells shares Schilling's trademark blonde locks and wide-eyed expression. 'Looks like the girl from orange is the new black like what,' one person wrote. Many online commenters were more focused on the uncanny resemblance between her and her Orange is the New Black doppelganger, played by Taylor Schilling (left) 'That was a GREAT SHOW! Glad they caught this girl. Hope she gets a long time in jail,' another added in agreement. 'Don't do Piper like that lmfao,' another joked. Police in Largo confirmed the investigation is ongoing. 'The Largo Police Department wants to thank the Clearwater Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for their assistance and support throughout this investigation,' the force added.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mother, child seriously injured in hit-and-run outside Walmart, suspected driver arrested at hotel
The Brief Largo police say a driver hit a mother and her 6-year-old child in a Walmart parking lot on Thursday night. Both victims suffered serious injuries, with police saying the child's injuries are life-threatening. Officers later arrested Lauren Howells, 32, on multiple charges. LARGO, Fla. - Largo police say they've arrested the driver who took off after hitting a mother and her 6-year-old child in a Walmart parking lot, leaving both with serious injuries. What we know The Largo Police Department says a woman later identified as Lauren Howells, 32, hit the victims and crashed into other vehicles shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday outside Walmart off Roosevelt Blvd. Both victims went to the hospital, with police saying the child's injuries are life-threatening. Investigators say the Clearwater Police Department found Howells' vehicle parked at the Days Inn on Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., but Howells had left. Law enforcement later found Howells at Murphy's Motel off 34th St., according to police, at which point she admitted to crashing in the Walmart parking lot and leaving the scene. What we don't know Police did not release the names of the victims or the gender of the child who was hit. What's next Howells faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, two counts of leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, and one count of reckless driving with serious bodily injury. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Largo Police Department. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
