Florida Teen Accused of Manslaughter After 'Easily Preventable' DUI Crash Kills 'Innocent' 2-Year-Old Boy Riding Tricycle: Police

Police say a Florida teen has been arrested after he allegedly drove drunk and fatally struck a young child who was riding a tricycle at the time.

Officers recently responded to a report of a 2-year-old boy who was hit by a lifted “bulldogged” truck, according to the Tavares Police Department.

Officers at the scene observed neighbors rendering aid to the child, who was later transported to an area hospital.

The incident occurred in the Oak Bend neighborhood, a gated community, and witnesses told police that the truck was driving “above the posted speed and in a careless manner within the neighborhood.”

The young boy's mother told police that her children were riding bikes in front of their residence as she and her husband were in their driveway, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WKMG-TV.

The woman told police she saw the truck speed down the street and turn onto a road in their neighborhood. She said she and her husband then “began yelling at the vehicle to slow down,” the affidavit states.

Police spoke with a witness who said the front tires of the suspect's truck drove completely over the victim. The affidavit states the vehicle struck the boy and then “appeared to drag the child and bicycle” a few feet before coming to a stop.

As emergency aid was being performed on the child, officers said they noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the driver of the truck, identified as 19-year-old Joshua Montero.

The teen performed field sobriety tests and took a Breathalyzer test, which allegedly confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol, authorities said.

The arrest affidavit states Montero was wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks and his eyes appeared to be bloodshot.

His blood alcohol level was reportedly .062 and .057, which is over the legal limit since Montero is under the legal drinking age.

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Police said they believe the teenager's blood alcohol content level was higher at the time of the crash.

The 2-year-old boy died later died from the injuries he sustained in the incident.

Montero was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter, officials said. He was booked into the Lake County Jail and was being held without bond.

In a statement, the Tavares Police Department said, "Our hearts are saddened at the loss of this innocent boy’s life in something that was easily preventable."