Man pleads not guilty in crash that killed 2-year-old Hurricane Irma evacuee

Michael Sexton

Michael Sexton

An Indiana man is facing an April trial in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Henry County that killed a 2-year-old hurricane evacuee from Florida, authorities said.

Michael Sexton, 26, of Connersville, Ind., pleaded not guilty in Henry County Superior Court on Tuesday, according to Megan Matteucci, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.

Sexton is charged with vehicular homicide, two counts of hit and run and other offenses in the Sept. 12 chain-reaction crash on the southbound I-75 South Metro Express Lanes, officials said.

According to prosecutors, Leena Guidot died after a stolen truck driven by Sexton crashed into an SUV in which the toddler was riding.

Guidot’s family was returning to their home in Tarpon Springs, Fla., after taking refuge from Hurricane Irma when the accident happened, authorities said.

Sexton and a 17-year-old passenger in the Dodge Ram truck were arrested after they ran from the scene, according to police. The passenger, William Helm of Indiana, was charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers.

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