'Great relief': baby is okay after truck crash

ST. PETERSBURG - A Bay Area mother is accused of driving drunk with a child in the passenger seat. Before heading to jail, police say she went on the attack at a local hospital.

Latifa Jharjoo says it is a "great relief" to be holding her happy, healthy, uninjured grandson. "It could have been worse but thank God it's not like that," Jharjoo said.

Late Thursday night, police say the baby's mother, Billie Vercellona, crashed her truck into a home in St. Petersburg. Witnesses say Vercellona was driving recklessly at times; veering into oncoming traffic, jumping curbs, and hitting at least two parked cars before she crashed into Ted Manooch's home.

"I was laying in bed and I heard this big crash, it sounded like an explosion," Manooch said. "I got out of bed real quick and looked out the window and I seen my truck up against the house all torn up."

Another driver, Kimberly Crome, pulled over to help and saw the 5-month-old baby in the car.

"I grabbed her [Vercellona] out of the vehicle and I grabbed the baby and brought the baby out here," Crome said. "I didn't know if any liquids were leaking from the vehicle."

St. Petersburg Police say Vercellona was transported to Bayfront Medical Center where she attacked three healthcare workers while being treated.

Jharjoo got a phone call late Thursday that her son's girlfriend had been in an accident. She rushed over to care for the baby, and is now worried about his mother.

"I love her, she's a nice lady," Jharjoo said. "She has two children, she takes care of her children. She has a problem, once she gets over her problem, you know...she's a good mother, but not a fit mother, but a good mother."

Vercellona remains in the Pinellas County Jail where she is facing charges of battery, DUI, and child abuse.