Update: One child in ATV crash in critical condition

Four children were hospitalized early Saturday in Pasco County after a crash involving an all-terrain vehicle.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Ford pickup truck collided with the ATV at the intersection of Mornay Drive and Bolton Road in Hudson at 2 a.m. Four people, all under the age of 18, were riding the ATV.

James Mettler was on his way to a convenience store when he came upon the scene after the children were hit by the truck.

"I saw one boy in a fetal position," he said. "They say he was in really bad shape."

Mettler says he stopped his car when he saw a truck in the middle of the road and children lying in the dirt.

"When I had first stopped, he wasn't moving and I seen another one in the shadows and he wasn't moving either," he said. "I heard her scream and I ran out there as soon as I could."

Authorities said the four children were thrown from the the ATV. The driver of the pickup truck left the scene. The FHP estimates the pickup received about $2,000 in damage.

According to Mettler, Cierra Delorey, 13, who was one of the four involved in the accident was dragged for 15 feet and ended up pinned under the pickup.

"She nicked an artery or something so when they pulled her out they had to stop the bleeding before they took her to the hospital," Mettler said. "She was bleeding profusely."

Paramedics airlifted all four children from the scene. Delorey, Mark Culpepper, 15, and Jessica Alonzo, 12, were taken to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries. The other child, Brandon Knowles, 15, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in critical condition.

Mettler got hold of one of the girl's cell phones, called her parents, and gave them directions to the accident.

"They really were not letting the parents close," he said of the scene after the accident. "She was screaming for them, but all they could do was holler and let her know they were there."

Officials said none of the children were wearing helmets.

Margaret Flak has lived in the area for years and says it's not unusual to hear ATVs at all hours of the night, but she doesn't blame the childrens' parents for what happened.

"You never know what your child is up to when you go to sleep," she said. "If kids sneak out at night, parents ain't gonna know it."

Authorities are investigating the crash as a hit-and-run and searching for the driver of the truck.