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No one was restrained in crash that killed mother and infant

 
Published Aug. 5, 2014

TAMPA — No one was restrained in the van crash early Sunday morning that killed a 30-year-old woman and an infant, Florida Highway Patrol reports state.

The driver, Ruben Molina — whose wife and infant daughter were killed — could face charges, troopers said. Records show Molina, 29, has a spotty driving history.

FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said Florida law requires a driver to ensure that any passenger under 18 is restrained. He said an investigation is ongoing.

Molina was convicted of driving with a suspended license in 2008 and of running a red light in 2012, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Last year, he received a seat-belt violation in Tampa. His license was suspended indefinitely in January, but records show it had since been reinstated.

Molina of Wesley Chapel was driving his sister, his wife and their three children west on Interstate 4 west of County Road 579 shortly after 1 a.m. when he lost control of the Hyundai Entourage, FHP said.

The vehicle swerved off the road, onto the grass shoulder and across a concrete culvert. The car then went up a grass embankment and through a chain-link fence, overturning several times before landing on its left side in a parking lot.

The mother, Amanda Lynn Osborn, 30, was ejected and died at the scene, authorities said. The infant girl, Madilyna Molina, was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where she later died.

Ruben Molina and the remaining passengers — his sister, Marialena Molina, and his sons, Elijah and Ruben Molina — were taken to TGH. The two boys, ages 7 and 9, were listed in critical condition.

A TGH spokesman said the boys had improved to good condition by Monday afternoon. Marialena Molina was released from the hospital. Ruben Molina had only minor injuries.

Other family members could not be reached Monday.