Police: Drunken, speeding driver hits, kills 2-year-old riding tricycle in Tavares

TAVARES, Fla. — Tavares Police Department said a 19-year-old man is accused of hitting and killing a 2-year-old child in Lake County on Monday night.

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Officers said they responded to a call around 7 p.m. in the Oak Bend subdivision of a boy who was ran over by a “lifted bulldogged” truck.

Police said upon arrival they saw several neighbors providing medical care.

The street was a short, dead-end where families felt safe for their children to play under their supervision, police said.

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Investigators said Joshua Aidan Montero is facing DUI manslaughter charges.

Police said the truck was traveling above the posted speed and in a careless manner within the neighborhood.

The arrest report said the child’s parents yelled at the car to slow down when Montero hit a child riding a blue tricycle.

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Investigators said based on the blood marks on the roadway the truck dragged the child and tricycle a few feet before the car came to a stop.

Officers said Montero was still on scene and had a strong smell of alcohol when he spoke and red, glassy eyes.

Officers said the child was pronounced dead at AdventHealth Waterman.

The Police Department said in a statement:

“Our agency would like to thank the neighbors that ran to action in an attempt to save the little boy’s life. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. And please, slow down and do not drink and drive.”

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