Drunken Florida Teen Driver Strikes and Kills Toddler
A drunken Florida teen struck and killed a 2-year-old boy riding a tricycle outside his home as the child’s parents screamed at the driver to slow down on Monday, authorities said.
Joshua Montero, 19, was speeding down a road in Tavares in a Toyota Tacoma around 7:15 p.m. as children rode their bikes in the cul-de-sac in front of their home, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by FOX35 Orlando.
The children’s parents were standing in their driveway, watching closely as their little ones enjoyed the summer evening. They shouted, desperate pleas for the driver to slow down. Yet, those urgent voices were drowned out by the roar of the speeding truck.
Tragic Collision: A Life Cut Short
In a heart-wrenching moment, Montero struck their 2-year-old son while he pedaled his blue tricycle. Witnesses recall the scene with vivid clarity. “The truck struck the child and appeared to drag the child and bicycle a few feet before the truck came to rest based on the apparent blood marks in the roadway,” police stated. Like a scene from a nightmare, the tire of the truck “completely” ran over the toddler.
As neighbors rushed to help, their hands shook with fear and urgency. They performed CPR, desperately hoping for a miracle, their hearts breaking for the boy who had only just begun to explore the world. Tragically, the child was rushed to a hospital, but his life ended far too soon.
A Grim Discovery and Legal Consequences
Following the tragedy, Montero was discovered in the driver’s seat of the wrecked truck. An officer noted the strong smell of alcohol on his breath and his bloodshot, glassy eyes—a sobering reminder of the consequences of reckless behavior. His breath reeked of alcohol, a stark signal of the intoxication that had put him behind the wheel.
After testing, it was determined that Montero’s blood alcohol level was .062 and .057, although authorities suspected it had been higher when the incident occurred. He is now facing serious charges of DUI manslaughter and has received a DUI citation, leaving one to wonder how a decision to drink and drive could disrupt so many lives.
As Montero remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, the community grapples with the impact of this tragedy. The investigation is still ongoing, and the search for answers hangs heavily in the air, unanswered questions echoing through the streets of Tavares.
This heartbreaking event reminds us all of the fragile nature of life and the devastating consequences that can arise from a single misjudgment. Just a few moments of irresponsibility altered countless lives forever. It underscores the inherent dangers of combining alcohol and driving, a random fact that many overlook, yet holds dire importance.
