Stolen Vehicle Crash on I-4 in Seminole County Leaves Two Critically Injured

Traffic along Interstate 4 in Seminole County was disrupted Thursday morning after a stolen vehicle crashed near mile marker 104, leaving two people critically injured. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the crash involved a stolen 2025 BMW M4 taken from a neighborhood in Heathrow.

Deputies located the stolen vehicle near State Road 434 and Markham Woods Road, but when they attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the car fled. Instead of engaging in a ground pursuit, deputies used the SCSO Alert helicopter to monitor the vehicle’s location from above.

Witnesses told troopers that the BMW was traveling well above the posted speed limit and even passing on the shoulder as it headed westbound on I-4. At approximately mile marker 104, the car lost control, veered off the road, and struck a sign support pole.

The force of the impact was severe. One suspect was ejected from the vehicle, while the other managed to crawl out of the wreckage. Both were transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with critical injuries. Authorities confirmed that Grand Theft Auto charges are anticipated against the individuals once they recover.

All westbound lanes of I-4 were temporarily shut down for cleanup and investigation, but have since reopened.

Criminal and Civil Consequences of Stolen Vehicle Crashes

This crash raises significant issues not only in terms of criminal liability but also in potential civil legal claims.

The two individuals inside the stolen BMW are expected to face serious charges under Florida Statutes § 812.014 (theft) and § 812.133 (carjacking, if force was used in the theft). Charges may also include reckless driving (§ 316.192) and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement (§ 316.1935).

If their actions caused injury to others—such as another driver, pedestrian, or property owner—they could face enhanced penalties.

Even though the suspects were in a stolen car, they may still be personally liable for damages caused in the crash. This includes:

• Property damage (to the DOT sign structure and roadway)
• Medical bills and lost wages of injured third parties, if any
• Wrongful death damages if an innocent victim had been killed

However, victims may face challenges recovering compensation directly from suspects, since most individuals in these scenarios lack significant assets or insurance coverage.

Crashes involving stolen vehicles often raise complicated insurance questions:

• The vehicle owner’s insurance generally does not cover damages when a car is stolen.
• The suspects’ insurance, if they carried any, would not apply since they were operating the vehicle illegally.
• Victims may need to turn to their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) or personal injury protection (PIP) benefits under Florida’s No-Fault Law.

In rare cases, if a police pursuit directly contributed to a crash, questions may arise about government liability under Florida’s limited sovereign immunity laws. In this instance, SCSO did not pursue the suspects on the ground, instead monitoring by helicopter, making liability less likely.

Crashes like this highlight the extreme risks posed by stolen vehicles traveling at dangerously high speeds:

• Unpredictable driving behaviors, such as swerving, shoulder passing, or running lights, increase the chance of multi-vehicle collisions.
• Secondary crashes often occur when other drivers react suddenly to avoid impact.
• Pedestrian risks escalate in urban areas, where fleeing suspects may run through intersections.

For this reason, Florida law imposes severe criminal and civil consequences on individuals who endanger the public through reckless vehicle theft and driving.

Although in this case the only reported injuries were to the suspects themselves, crashes involving stolen vehicles can and often do injure innocent people. Victims in similar cases may face significant challenges in seeking compensation, as insurance companies often deny liability when a vehicle is stolen.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys are experienced in pursuing compensation for victims of uninsured drivers, reckless drivers, and criminal acts on Florida’s roads. We investigate all potential avenues for recovery, including UM/UIM claims, third-party liability, and government accountability when applicable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida crash involving a stolen or uninsured vehicle, call us at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation. We handle personal injury and wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.