A Florida woman has been arrested after authorities say she struck two young boys crossing the street outside a church and fled the scene, leaving one child dead and the other critically injured.

Victoria Johnson, 30, faces a series of serious charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving death and serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence and driving without a license causing death.

The tragic incident unfolded Wednesday night outside Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the scene shortly before 8:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a hit-and-run crash on Crystal Beach Road.

Investigators say two boys — ages 8 and 10 — had been attending a church function that evening.

At some point during the event, the children crossed to the other side of the road. When they were called back to the church, they waited for a truck to pass before stepping into the street.

Authorities say a northbound SUV then struck both boys and kept going.

The 8-year-old boy died at the scene.

The 10-year-old suffered devastating injuries, including a broken arm, a broken femur and a compound skull fracture.

He was rushed to a hospital, where he remained in critical but stable condition.

The crash sent shockwaves through the church community.

In a message posted on Facebook, Faith Baptist Church described the heartbreaking loss and the struggle of the surviving child.

“Our church family is grieving following a tragic hit-and-run accident that occurred after church,” the statement read.

“One child was fatally injured, and another remains in critical condition.”

“Our hearts are broken for these families,” the church added, asking the community to pray for the injured child and the family mourning the devastating loss.

The investigation quickly took a dramatic turn the next day.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Johnson contacted deputies to report her vehicle — a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe — had been stolen.

She claimed she had lent the SUV to a friend the night before and the friend never returned it.

But investigators say her story soon began to unravel.

Johnson later admitted she had been driving around the area that night and believed she may have struck someone, according to deputies.

Authorities say she then told investigators she handed the SUV over to a friend so it could be disposed of.

When asked where the vehicle might be, Johnson allegedly replied: “Probably at the bottom of a lake by now.”

As deputies questioned her further, Johnson reportedly began crying uncontrollably.

She later went to the police station for an interview.

While she was there, deputies spotted Johnson’s SUV being driven nearby by a man who pulled into a driveway and ran into a home.

Authorities say the man initially refused to come outside but eventually surrendered.

He was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest without violence.

Deputies inspected the vehicle and discovered damage consistent with striking a pedestrian.

The SUV reportedly had missing parts and what investigators described as possible biological evidence.

Back at the station, Johnson allegedly admitted she had been driving in the area near the church that night.

According to the affidavit, she said it was the first time she had been driving the SUV in some time because she had lost her driver’s license following a previous DUI conviction.

Investigators say Johnson also admitted she regularly used methamphetamine — including the night of the crash.

Authorities have not released the names of the two boys involved.

Johnson was taken to jail following her arrest.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 14 as the investigation into the devastating crash continues.