Mother Of 5-Month-Old Baby Killed In Crash Released From Hospital

LUTZ, FL — Kayla Garcia was wheeled out of St. Joseph's Hospital Monday under the watchful eyes of a phalanx of Pasco County firefighters.

She is now headed to a local rehabilitation facility where she will undergo several weeks of rehabilitation for injuries received when she, her firefighter husband Taylor Hunter and their 5-month-old daughter, Clara, were involved in a four-car pileup in northwest Hillsborough County.

On Friday, Sept. 13 around 2 p.m., the young family was traveling on Van Dyke Road when their SUV was involved in a multi-vehicle crash.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said a vehicle traveling on Brown Street ran through a stop sign and T-boned a vehicle traveling east on Van Dyke Road. The impact caused a chain reaction involving four vehicles and eight people.

Five people were taken to the hospital. The most critically injured was the Garcias' baby, who died the Sunday after the accident.

Hunter Garcia was released from the hospital the following Monday after being treated for serious injuries to his face, including an orbital socket fracture. Kayla Garcia's back and pelvis were fractured in the accident, and she remained in the hospital until Monday.

Hunter Garcia, 23, a graduate of Steinbrenner High School, has been a firefighter for Pasco County Fire Rescue for two years. He and Kayla married in January 2016. Clara was their only child.

Garcia's fellow firefighters have rallied around the family, covering Garcia's shifts and holding vigil at the hospital. Additionally, they have set up a Paypal account on to raise funds for the young family's funeral and medical expenses.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon is also hoping to raise funds for the family at a Casino Night on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2640 Silver Maple Parkway, Wesley Chapel.

Tickets are $20 and include hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, DJ, silent auction, raffles and prizes. Click here to purchase tickets.

Funeral arrangements for baby Clara are still pending.

Related stories:

• Fund Set Up For Infant Daughter Of Pasco County Firefighter
• Infant Daughter Of Firefighter Dies Following Crash
• Infant In Critical Condition Following 4-Car Pileup In Northdale