A University of Miami football star is facing felony charges following a devastating car crash that claimed three lives, including two young boys, in Largo, Florida, this past May.

Adarius Hayes, 21, has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving resulting in serious injury stemming from a high-speed collision on May 10 that killed a senior and two children and injured multiple others, as the Daily Mail reports.

The tragic incident occurred when Hayes, a linebacker for the Miami Hurricanes, was behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango traveling at nearly double the posted speed limit. Surveillance footage and witness accounts revealed that Hayes crossed three lanes of traffic without signaling shortly before the crash. Police say he attempted to overtake vehicles before cutting back across the road and slamming into a Kia Soul, making a lawful left turn.

High-speed driving leads to catastrophic loss

Authorities confirmed Hayes was traveling at a speed of 78.9 mph on a road with a 40 mph speed limit at the moment of impact. The collision resulted in the deaths of 10-year-old Jabari Elijah Solomon, four-year-old Charlie Herbert Solomon Riveria, and 78-year-old Gail Price. Price, who was driving the Kia Soul, later died from her injuries at a nearby hospital.

A fourth vehicle occupant, Herbert Rivera -- believed to be the grandfather of the boys -- survived but sustained serious injuries. Several other individuals involved in the crash were also reported to have suffered significant harm. Hayes, who was described as “distraught” at the scene, was rushed to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Photos from the crash site depicted Hayes' Dodge Durango with crumpled front-end damage, while the Kia Soul was flipped and severely destroyed. The collision was so severe that the Kia came to rest on the sidewalk, facing the wrong direction.

Past violations raise concerns of behavioral pattern

Following an exhaustive investigation, police issued an arrest warrant for Hayes. He turned himself in and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on a Friday. Hayes currently faces three felony counts related to the victims’ deaths and an additional charge for serious injuries caused by his driving.

The crash added new urgency to discussions around Hayes' prior traffic history. Public records show he had multiple driving offenses over the past two years. These include being cited for driving 84 mph in a 55 mph zone in March, receiving fines for improper lane changes, and even being involved in another crash last year.

His driver’s license was also temporarily suspended in May 2023 for failing to complete a required driving course. Although it was reinstated two weeks later, beyond administrative penalties, the series of violations painted a troubling picture of recklessness behind the wheel.

Eyewitness testimonies revealed

A witness speaking with WFLA described the moments following the crash. “When it happened, I was the first one out here,” the individual said. “Immediately, I started calling for somebody to call 911 because there was a child.”

The same resident emphasized that the tragedy was not isolated. “This all happened because people hotrod on this road all the time,” the witness said. “They come down here and they’re racing their cars or they’re speeding... many times we call the police. Not much changes.”

Authorities affirmed that neither driver involved showed signs of alcohol impairment. The investigation remains focused on Hayes’ speed and the dangerous maneuver performed just five seconds before the crash, as key contributors to the incident.

Lessons to learn

1. Excessive speed can cost lives. Speed limits exist to protect drivers and pedestrians. In this case, driving nearly 80 mph in a 40 mph zone contributed to a moment of irreversible destruction. Always adhere to posted limits -- no destination is worth risking a life.

2. Repeated minor violations can escalate. Hayes’ prior infractions may have seemed minor in isolation, but they indicated a history of dangerous behavior. Even small traffic citations should be taken seriously and used as warnings to improve future driving practices.

3. Areas with known traffic issues need greater enforcement. Locals had previously raised concerns about reckless driving on this road, but short of meaningful changes, the risks remained. Everyone should feel empowered to report hazardous driving, and communities must advocate for stronger enforcement to prevent future tragedies. However, it’s important to remember that no one ever deserves to be a victim -- and safety cannot be entirely guaranteed.

Why this story matters

This incident shocked the Florida community and highlighted the deadly consequences of reckless driving.

The lives of two young children and an elderly woman were cut short due to a preventable act of negligence.

This tragedy underscores the need for heightened awareness, accountability, and policy reform around road safety and driver accountability.