SUMTER COUNTY, FL – A high-speed wreck in the early hours of Tuesday, August 5, 2025, has claimed the life of one teenager, left three others hospitalized, and led to the arrest of a 17-year-old driver now facing grave felony charges — including vehicular homicide.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) reports the fatal crash occurred around 1:00 a.m. when a Dodge Charger, driven by Dylan Austin Richards, 17, of Inverness, barreled southbound on Interstate 75 at dangerously excessive speeds. Witnesses described the vehicle as recklessly weaving through traffic, overtaking cars in an erratic and aggressive manner.
Moment of Impact
In a frantic attempt to avoid a collision, Richards veered onto the highway’s outside shoulder, lost control, and slammed into a tree. The impact triggered an explosion, setting the Charger ablaze.
Driver Abandons Injured Teens and Flees
In a shocking turn, Richards escaped the flaming wreckage, removed the license plate to conceal the vehicle’s identity, and fled the scene on foot — leaving behind four injured teen passengers, one of whom would soon die.
FHP troopers, along with Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputies, launched a manhunt. Richards was tracked down and captured hiding inside a chicken coop on a rural property at 633 NW 111th Lane. He sustained only minor injuries and was taken into custody without resistance.
One Teen Killed, Others Injured
The crash claimed the life of a 16-year-old male, who succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital.
The three surviving passengers, all residents of Inverness, include:
•A 17-year-old male with minor injuries
•A 13-year-old male also treated for minor injuries
•A 15-year-old male who suffered serious, potentially life-altering injuries
All were transported to area hospitals. As of now, their conditions have not been updated publicly.
Criminal Charges and Consequences
Richards was arrested and booked on a series of felony charges, including:
•Vehicular Homicide
•Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death
•Additional counts related to reckless driving and endangering juveniles
Officials say further charges may be filed pending the results of toxicology reports and ongoing interviews with witnesses and victims.
Inverness Reeling from Aftermath
The Inverness community has been left devastated. Social media platforms are flooded with posts mourning the lost teen, praying for the injured, and condemning the dangerous behavior that caused this tragedy.
Several of the teens involved were reportedly students in the Citrus County School District. Grief counselors are being made available for classmates and friends struggling with the trauma of the event.
“This is a nightmare,” said one local parent. “We’ve lost a child, others are badly hurt, and a 17-year-old is staring down years in prison. This didn’t have to happen.”
A Harsh Warning About Reckless Driving
Law enforcement and safety advocates are urging families to use this crash as a sobering reminder of how quickly joyrides can turn into tragedies. Teen drivers — especially those operating high-performance vehicles — must be educated on the deadly consequences of speed and recklessness.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
Ongoing Investigation
Due to the ages of the victims, authorities have not released their identities. The name of the deceased 16-year-old may be disclosed once all relatives have been notified. The FHP’s Traffic Homicide Unit continues to investigate.
Let me know if you’d like this adapted into a news release, social media version, or formatted for print.
Leave a Reply