Despite a defense lawyer’s argument, a judge on Aug. 15 denied bail for a man Florida Highway Patrol troopers said was driving recklessly and helped cause a crash that killed a woman and injured two other people on Aug. 8.
Here’s what we know:
When was the hearing and who was the judge? First appearance on Aug. 15, and the judge was County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes.
What’s the name of the defendant? Cesar Ramon Estrada Garcia, 28, of Marion Oaks.
Who were the lawyers? Assistant State Attorney Kevin Steiniger and local defense attorney Kathryn Bennett.
Garcia’s charges: Vehicular homicide, racing, reckless driving involving serious injuries, reckless driving involving injuries, and reckless driving involving property damage.
When was Garcia arrested? Aug. 14.
What happened in court? After reading Garcia’s arrest report, the judge said there was probable cause for his arrest.
Bennett told the court her client has a family and a steady job. She asked the judge to set a reasonable bail. The prosecutor told the judge Garcia should be held without bail pending a pretrial detention hearing.
The judge denied bail for the vehicular homicide charge, pointing out that someone died in the wreck. She set bail at a total of $50,000 for the other charges.
The judge said Garcia cannot operate a motor vehicle unless another judge rules otherwise.
What’s next? Garcia’s next court date is Sept. 15.
About the case: Troopers said Garcia and 21-year-old Misaiah Mike Enriquez of Marion Oaks, each driving BMWs, were speeding north on Southwest 49th Avenue Road. A Toyota RAV4 SUV pulled out from Southwest 82nd Place Road and was turning left when it was struck by the BMW driven by Garcia.
FHP said Myrna Gonzalez, 77; her 78-year-old husband, Loy Gonzalez; and their son, Christopher Gonzalez, 48, who was driving, were in the SUV. Myrna Gonzalez died at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, troopers said. The woman’s husband was seriously injured and their son had minor injuries.
Troopers said Garcia’s BMW was traveling at 105 mph three seconds before impact.
Enriquez fled the scene, FHP said. He was apprehended in Miami on Aug. 12 by U.S. Marshals.
He is being held on has been charges of vehicular homicide, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. Authorities said he has a warrant for fleeing and eluding out of Citrus County. Additional charges against Enriquez are pending, officials said.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Bail denied for man accused of street racing in fatal crash | Exclusive
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner | USA TODAY Network
