Drunk teen accused of fatally running over 2-year-old who was riding on tricycle

TAVARES, Fla. (TCN) — Police arrested a teen male this week after he allegedly drove drunk and fatally struck a young child who was riding a tricycle at the time.

According to the Tavares Police Department, on Monday, Sept. 2, at approximately 7:15 p.m., officers responded to a report of a 2-year-old boy who was hit by a lifted “bulldogged” truck. Upon their arrival, police observed neighbors rendering aid to the child, and he was transported to a local hospital.

Police noted that the incident took place in the Oak Bend neighborhood, a gated community. Witnesses told officers that the truck was driving “above the posted speed and in a careless manner within the neighborhood.”

According to WKMG-TV, the 2-year-old’s mother told police that her children were riding bikes in front of their residence as she and her husband were in their driveway. She allegedly saw the truck speed down a street and turn onto a road in their neighborhood. The mother and her husband reportedly “began yelling at the vehicle to slow down.”

One witness allegedly told officials the front tires of the truck drove entirely over the victim. The affidavit reviewed by WKMG alleges that the vehicle struck the boy and then “appeared to drag the child and bicycle” a few feet before coming to a stop.

Police said as emergency aid was performed on the victim, officers noticed the smell of alcohol emanating from the driver of the truck, 19-year-old Joshua Montero. Montero reportedly performed field sobriety exercises and took a Breathalyzer test, which confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol.

According to the affidavit obtained by WKMG, police observed Montero wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks and his eyes appeared bloodshot. Montero’s blood alcohol level was reportedly .062 and .057, which is over the legal limit since Montero is under the legal drinking age. Police believe Montero’s blood alcohol content level was higher at the time of the crash, WKMG reports.

Police later learned the 2-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries. Montero was booked into the Lake County Jail and faces a charge of DUI manslaughter. He remains held without bond.

In a statement, the police department said, “Our hearts are saddened at the loss of this innocent boy’s life in something that was easily preventable.”

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