A hit-and-run suspect with a “sparking” rim was apprehended on Interstate 75 at Wildwood.
A trooper responded to a hit-and-run, later found to involve 24-year-old Manuel Martin Alarcon of Gainesville, on northbound I-75 in the area of Mile Marker 329 at around 11 p.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The trooper saw multiple vehicles pass by with their hazard lights on and assumed one or more of them were a victim or witness to the hit-and-run. He spoke to one of witnesses who stated the suspect vehicle was a black pickup truck that continued northbound and was “sparking.” She also stated the vehicle directly in front of her on the east paved shoulder was the victim’s vehicle, the report said.
Due to the short amount of time since the incident occurred, the trooper headed northbound at a high speed to find the suspect vehicle. Dispatch told him the tag number before he spotted a black pickup truck on the east paved shoulder near Mile Marker 335. He pulled onto the paved shoulder and saw the tag matched that of the suspect vehicle, the report said.
The trooper approached and drew his Glock 45 MOS handgun, instructing Alarcon to put his hands on the steering wheel, slowly step out and get down on his knees. Alarcon complied and was handcuffed, during which the trooper detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person. He was then seated in the back of the patrol vehicle, the report said.
The trooper told dispatch to inform the witness and victim to meet him at the location of the suspect vehicle. The witness came and provided video evidence of the crash. It showed the truck sparking continuously after the crash occurred. The trooper found the front right tire of the vehicle to be gone, and the rim was worn to the point no tire could be placed on it, the report said.
The trooper next spoke to the victim who stated he was headed north on I-75 when the truck struck his vehicle and fled without stopping to leave information or help. The passenger stated she had video evidence of the crash and the immediate aftermath, the report said.
After returning to Alarcon, the trooper took him to the TA Travel Center on State Road 44 in Wildwood. He explained that he finished the crash investigation and was starting a DUI investigation. Alarcon was read his rights and agreed to talk, the report said.
Alarcon advised that he was coming from his parent’s house in Port Saint Lucie to his residence in Gainesville. He was the only one inside the vehicle, of which he was the registered owner. He felt his tire had blown and pulled off the side of the roadway after a few minutes because the vehicle was not driving well. He had no memory of being in a crash, the report said.
The trooper asked Alarcon if he was willing to participate in field sobriety exercises, to which he agreed. He swayed heavily during the first exercise, used his arms for balance in another and eventually lost his balance. This led the trooper to conclude he was under the influence, the report said.
Alarcon later provided breath samples of 0.217g/210L and 0.210g/210L. He was also taken to UF Health Brownwood Freestanding Emergency Room for a medical evaluation.
Alarcon was ultimately charged with DUI and hit-and-run (leave scene of crash involving damage to property). He was transported to the Sumter County Detention Center and released after posting $1,500 bond.