A 19-year-old man faces DUI manslaughter charges after allegedly striking and killing a two-year-old boy, Asher Lepping, riding a tricycle in a gated community in Tavares, Florida on Monday evening, September 2, 2024.
Joshua Montero was arrested following the incident that occurred around 7:15 p.m. in the Oak Bend neighborhood, according to a statement from the Tavares Police Department.
Witnesses reported that Montero’s truck was traveling above the posted speed limit and in a careless manner within the neighborhood before the accident. The child’s mother, Krysten Lepping, told police she and her husband, Danny, were standing in their driveway as their children rode their bikes on the street in front of their house.
According to the affidavit obtained by local media, Krysten said she heard and saw a speeding truck approaching. She and her husband began yelling at the driver to slow down as the vehicle continued toward the cul-de-sac.
The police statement indicated that the accident took place on a “dead-end street where families felt safe for their children to be able to play under their supervision.”
A witness told officers it appeared the front tires of the truck completely ran over the toddler. The affidavit states that Montero “appeared to drag the child and the bicycle” a few feet before the truck came to a halt.
When officers arrived at the scene, they detected an odor of alcohol coming from Montero, who was the owner of the vehicle. Police reported that Montero “presented several indicators that he was possibly under the influence of alcohol.”
Initially, Montero refused to undertake sobriety exercises but later agreed after an officer informed him he would be arrested based on observed indicators. Following the tests, he was deemed to be under the influence of alcohol.
A subsequent breathalyzer test confirmed the presence of alcohol. Montero’s breath samples registered at 0.062 and 0.057, which is considered over the legal limit for someone under the legal drinking age of 21 in Florida.
The affidavit noted that as Montero spoke, the odor of alcohol on his breath intensified. Officers also observed that Montero was wearing only swim trunks and had bloodshot, glassy eyes at the time of the incident.
Emergency responders transported Asher to AdventHealth Waterman, but he did not survive his injuries.
This incident has shocked the local community, occurring in a closed, gated neighborhood where residents typically felt secure allowing their children to play outside under parental supervision.
The case remains under investigation by local authorities. Montero is currently in custody and faces charges of DUI manslaughter. The legal process will determine the full extent of the charges and any potential penalties.