A hit-and-run driver was blamed for the death of an 8-year-old boy on Interstate 75 Wednesday night after he was thrown from his vehicle during a crash and then hit by a car on the highway.

The vehicle that hit him (described as a small white car) continued traveling south down Interstate 75 in Florida. The Florida State Patrol is still investigating.

Jahmi Thomas, the 8-year-old boy killed from West Palm Beach, Florida, was one of four passengers thrown from an SUV traveling on Interstate 75. Jahmi was thrown about 90 feet into the southbound lanes of Interstate 75 and was hit by the small white car.

The driver of the SUV, Ferlin Thomas, 44, told Florida State Patrol that he felt an unusual vibration from the left rear wheel of his vehicle and then lost control. The SUV spun counter-clockwise on the grass shoulder and slammed into a steel guardrail on Interstate 75.  Mr. Thomas then lost control, and the four passengers of the SUV were ejected from the vehicle.

Ferlin Thomas was wearing a seat belt and received minor injuries, while the other passengers, Lesha Thomas, 37, and Fernesha Thomas, 25, were wearing seatbelts and were not injured in the crash. Ariel Thomas, 10, was not wearing a seatbelt and was taken to Shands at the University of Florida with serious injuries. Ferlin Thomas Jr., 14, and Melecia Thomas, 20, received minor injuries, and both were not wearing a seatbelt.

Our law firm handles fatal accident cases such as this.  If you have lost a loved one in an accident due to another's negligence or reckless driving, call 770-577-3020 for a free consultation.