Man charged in hit-and-run death of boy, 13, on bicycle
A 23-year-old Orlando man is facing charges for the December hit-and-run death of a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle, Florida Highway Patrol said Monday.
Jared Prochazka was arrested Sunday on a vehicular homicide charge for the Dec. 22 death of Gabriel Ortiz, who was hit by a pickup truck on Montello Drive, said FHP spokesperson Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Ortiz later died at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Investigators said before Prochazka allegedly struck the teen he fled from Orange County deputies, who questioned him about a domestic violence incident at a home about a mile from the fatal crash, according to the arrest report.
Prochazka backed out of the driveway in a Toyota Tacoma, hit a neighbor’s mailbox and Christmas decorations, then headed toward Montello Drive, the report said.
Minutes later Prochazka called the victim in the domestic violence case, according to the affidavit, and said, “I’m going to jail! I hit someone while running away!”
Deputies spoke to Prochazka on the phone, the report said, and convinced him to drive back to the home, where he was arrested for the domestic violence incident.
Prochazka’s truck had damage to the front grille, hood and undercarriage when he returned, the affidavit said.
Surveillance footage from near the crash scene showed Prochazka passed a vehicle on Montello Drive by crossing into oncoming traffic lanes, then hit Ortiz on his bike, the report said.
Ortiz tried to dodge Prochazka’s speeding truck as it approached him, the report said, but the teenager was struck and ejected from the bicycle.
“This crash can be seen and heard in the recording, along with witnesses at the scene shouting in disbelief about the vehicle fleeing the scene without stopping to render aid,” the affidavit said.
Records show Prochazka is also charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and is being held in the Orange County Jail on a $100,000 bond.