A Florida courtroom erupted in shock when a woman accused of killing an 8-year-old boy in a hit-and-run crash appeared to laugh during her first court appearance.

Victoria Johnson, 30, of Winter Haven, faces multiple charges after prosecutors say she struck two young boys with her SUV and fled the scene while high on methamphetamine. One child died from his injuries, while another remains hospitalized with severe trauma.

The disturbing moment unfolded during Johnson’s video court hearing on Friday. In less than two minutes, the accused driver reportedly cycled through several emotions — from stunned silence to laughter, angry interruptions, and eventually tears — as a judge reviewed the charges against her.

Authorities say the crash happened around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday outside a church in Winter Haven. The two boys had just attended a birthday celebration for their pastor at Faith Baptist Church and were crossing the street to get cupcakes when the vehicle hit them.

The younger child, 8, died from his injuries. The 10-year-old survived but suffered devastating wounds, including a compound skull fracture, a broken femur, and a broken arm. He was listed in critical but stable condition at Orlando’s Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

During the hearing, Johnson interrupted the judge as bond amounts for her charges — totaling $100,000 — were read aloud.

“I wasn’t even in the car,” she could be heard saying to someone off camera before being warned not to discuss the case.

Investigators say Johnson initially called police Thursday to claim her dark blue 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe had been stolen. She told deputies she had loaned the vehicle to someone the night before and it had never been returned.

But detectives quickly became suspicious.

When authorities began searching for the SUV, they reportedly found significant damage, missing parts, and possible biological material on the vehicle. Confronted with the evidence, Johnson changed her story and admitted she had been driving that night despite having a suspended license.

According to investigators, Johnson also confessed she had been using crystal meth before getting behind the wheel.

She reportedly told deputies she believed she may have hit someone but claimed she could not clearly remember the crash.

Afterward, authorities say she met up with Charles Cory Stewart, 34, at a Circle K convenience store. The two allegedly used meth again before going fishing later that night.

Johnson told investigators she gave Stewart the SUV and asked him to “get rid of it,” believing he had dumped the vehicle in a lake.

However, deputies later spotted the same Hyundai being driven by Stewart while they were transporting Johnson to a substation for questioning.

Police followed the SUV to a home in Lake Wales, where Stewart and a passenger, 23-year-old Mya Bass, ran inside and refused to come out before eventually being taken into custody.

Johnson now faces five charges, including leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, tampering with evidence, filing a false police report, and driving with a suspended license.

Stewart and Bass have been charged with resisting arrest.

Meanwhile, the community is mourning the loss of the young victim. Polk County Schools confirmed the child who died was a student at Boswell Elementary.

“This is a terribly sad day for Boswell Elementary and our community,” a school spokesperson said in a statement.

“He had many close friends at school and was loved by teachers and staff. He was known for his incredible spirit, his smile, and his willingness to help others. Our hearts are broken for his family and everyone who knew him.”

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