WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — One week after a car crash in downtown Winter Garden ultimately canceled their popular Golf Cart Christmas Parade, the event went on Sunday without incident.
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Winter Garden residents look forward to the parade each year. On Sunday, some said they were frustrated to see it interrupted.
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Though they don’t believe the man arrested last week targeted the parade, Winter Garden police took extra safety precautions Sunday.
This time, more officers were called in, and the parade route wasn’t announced ahead of time. Police also closed off the downtown area to vehicle traffic.
For spectators and participants alike, it was well worth the wait.
“It was a lot of fun...we’ll be back next year,” parade viewer Barbara Fox said.
Last Sunday, at approximately 5:55 p.m., Winter Garden police were preparing to close the roads for the parade.
Winter Garden police said, before the parade reached downtown, the driver of a car approached downtown on Plant Street, traveling at a high rate of speed.
A police officer attempted to slow the driver down and was almost hit by the car.
The driver continued to accelerate, crashing into another car.
A police officer attempted to slow the driver down and was almost hit by the car.
The driver continued to accelerate, crashing into another car.
The driver ran away and was apprehended by an off-duty officer from another jurisdiction who was in the crowd.
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According to police, there were no reported injuries in the large crowd gathered to watch the parade.
The driver of that car, Terryous Baker, was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail on multiple charges. He remains behind bars at this time.
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