A makeshift memorial for the two children who died after they and their two siblings were struck by a hit-and-run driver March 31, 2004./AP photo
	Two Children Die In Hit-And-Run Accident TAMPA - Bryant Wilkins was crossing 22nd Street on Mar. 31, 2004, around 7 p.m. with his three younger siblings when all four were hit by two vehicles near 142nd Avenue. Wilkins, 13, and his 3-year-old brother, Durontae Caldwell, died in the accident. Their sister, Aquina Wilkins, 8, and brother, Lajuan Davis, 2, were injured. 04/01/04: Search For Drivers Accident reconstruction

Background Information

Name: Bryant Wilkins     Close friends and relatives described Bryant, 13, as a protective older brother who was safety-minded. A seventh-grader at Liberty Middle School who earned good grades, he enjoyed playing PlayStation video games, riding his bike and shooting hoops. "He was a kid. He did what all kids do," said godmother Cyteria Williams. "He was like the man of the house. He was good."

Name: Durontae Caldwell     The three-year-old and his siblings were half a block from home, heading back after watching a neighborhood basketball game at the University Area Community Center when they were hit by a hit-and-run driver. Durontae was the child who snuggled next to his mother in bed each night.

Name: Aquina Wilkins     Aquina, 8, was injured in the hit-and-run accident. She was released on April 6, 2004 from St. Joseph's Children's Hospital where she was treated for a broken arm. She attends Clark Elementary School.

Name: Lajuan Davis     Lajuan, 2, was also injured in the hit-and-run accident. The four children were struck about 7 p.m. as they crossed 22nd Street after a basketball game at the neighborhood community center. The family had moved to the area about a month before the accident.

Name: Malissa Wilkins     Wilkins, the children's mother, said she had told her children to stay at the community center until she came to get them and was walking out the door when she saw her neighbors running to the street. "My babies were taken from me, and I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye," Wilkins said. She was at home with her youngest child, a 1-year-old boy, at the time of the accident. She is expecting a sixth child, a girl, in July.

Name: Jennifer Porter     Porter, 28, a dance teacher at Muller Elementary Magnet School, stepped forward on April 5, 2004 amd said she was the driver of the car that struck the children. Porter, who lives in Pasco County with her parents, said she wanted to tell the family she was sorry. She offered no explanation for leaving the scene. She eventually could be charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Name: Barry Cohen     Cohen, Jennifer Porter's attorney, called a news conference on April 5, 2004 to introduce the school teacher. He said fear kept Porter from stopping her car after the accident. A fixture of the Tampa legal scene, Cohen, 63, has been prominent in numerous high-profile cases, including the botched prosecution of Steve and Marlene Aisenberg in the disappearance of their baby, Sabrina.

Name: Thomas Parnell     Parnell, the attorney for Malissa Wilkins, said the family is supportive of the slow, deliberate pace of the investigation and asked the public to "relax and let them do their job." He said Jennifer Porter's admission was of some consolation to the mother. "She is relieved that at least one person came forward," Parnell said.

Source: The Tampa Tribune
Online Producer: Vidisha Priyanka

Jennifer Porter

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Outcry Echoes
Excerpts From Porter Sentencing Focus Group

Multimedia: Improving 22nd Street Traffic experts, a resident and others talk about traffic safety along 22nd Street and changes that have been made through the years. Bob Gordon    Gordon discusses recent improvements on 22nd Street and the need to educate pedestrians about traffic safety. Safety improvements Public education Chris Hagelin    Hagelin talks about safety features on a street on the USF campus to illustrate possible improvements for 22nd Street. Crosswalk changes Crossing lights Sen. Victor Crist    Crist discusses changes that have taken place on 22nd Street since 1990. Improvements so far Lesa Isaacs    Isaacs thinks both pedestrians and drivers are equally responsible and should be aware of traffic and follow rules. Pedestrian responsibilty

Multimedia News Channel 8 Reports TAMPA - Neighbors, outraged at the deaths and at the two drivers who hit the children and sped off, stood at the intersection to pray. They left teddy bears, flowers and goodwill messages. Ribbons and balloons were wrapped around the intersection's sole crosswalk sign. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. Video: • 12/02/2005: Outcry Echoes • 11/23/2005: Focus group • 11/05/2005: No Prison For Porter • 11/04/2005: Mom Breaks Down • 11/04/2005: Sentencing Hearing • 10/07/2004: Trial Date Set • 08/17/2004: 911 Tapes Released • 04/28/2004: Porter released on bail • 04/28/2004: Porter turns herself in • 04/28/2004: Jennifer Porter turns herself in • 04/22/04: Porter's Parents Face Investigators • 04/06/04: Looking For A Honda And A White Van • 04/05/04: Searching For Clues • 04/05/04: Porter News Conference • 04/05/04: Sheriff's News Conference • 04/04/04: Barry Cohen To Represent The Driver • 04/02/04: Toyota Echo Found • 04/02/04: Malissa Wilkens' News Conference • 04/02/04: Community Mourns • 04/02/04: Searching For Vehicles • 04/01/04: New Information • 04/01/04: Two Children Die In Hit-And-Run Graphics: • Investigator's Chronology • Jennifer Porter's Affidavit • Accident Reconstruction • Map: 22nd Street Corridor

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