Sunrise, Florida – A tow truck driver in South Florida is facing a serious criminal charge after police say he towed away a parked car with a 4-year-old child still inside, leading to the child falling onto a busy roadway and suffering injuries. The incident, captured on surveillance video and described in an arrest report, unfolded outside a restaurant in Sunrise and has sparked outrage over tow truck safety practices.
Incident Overview
According to police, Sergio Jesus Suarez, a tow truck driver working in Broward County, is charged with child neglect after allegedly hauling away a Honda Accord while a young girl remained inside the vehicle. Authorities say Suarez began towing the car without checking for occupants and continued driving even as the child’s father ran after the truck, shouting that his daughter was inside.
The situation escalated moments later when the child opened a door and fell from the moving vehicle into the roadway, resulting in injuries that required hospitalization.
What Police Say Happened
An arrest report states that Suarez initiated the tow and drove away without exiting his truck or inspecting the vehicle, a step police say is required for safety. Investigators allege that the child’s father had gone into Bistro Creole, a nearby restaurant, for roughly two minutes before noticing his car was being towed.
By the time the father reached the parking lot, police say the Honda had already been lifted. The report claims the father ran to the driver’s side window, banged on it, and repeatedly yelled that his child was inside the car.
Despite this, Suarez allegedly accelerated out of the parking lot, entering nearby streets with the child still inside the towed vehicle.
Chase Through the Plaza
Police allege the father chased the tow truck on foot through a shopping plaza and onto West Oakland Park Boulevard, continuing to shout for the driver to stop. During the chase, the father told officers he saw his daughter fall from the vehicle onto the roadway.
A witness statement included in the report supports the father’s account. The witness told police she heard yelling, saw the tow truck pulling a black sedan, and observed the father chasing it.
She stated that the rear driver-side door opened and the child fell out while the tow truck was traveling at a high rate of speed, then continued driving eastbound.
Child’s Injuries and Rescue
After the child fell, police say the father ran into traffic, picked her up, and moved her to safety. The girl was transported to a hospital with injuries to both arms and her right calf. Authorities have not released an update on her condition but confirmed the injuries were significant enough to warrant medical treatment.
Surveillance Video Evidence
Surveillance footage obtained by investigators reportedly shows Suarez initiating the tow and driving away without checking inside the vehicle. Police say the video contradicts claims that the car was inspected before towing.
Investigators concluded that Suarez’s actions created a foreseeable and substantial risk of serious bodily harm or death to the child.
Criminal Charge and Court Hearing
Based on the investigation, Suarez was charged with child neglect, a serious offense under Florida law. The arrest report states that his actions demonstrated culpable negligence and a reckless disregard for the safety of a minor.
During a bond hearing Monday night, Broward County Judge Corey Friedman criticized Suarez’s alleged conduct, stating that the case stood out to him and referencing both Suarez’s statements and the surveillance footage.
Suarez’s attorney argued in court that his client checked the vehicle multiple times before towing and claimed there was no child inside. Police dispute this assertion.
Suarez was released on bond and has not yet been given a date for his next court appearance.
Broader Safety Concerns
The incident raises broader concerns about tow truck safety procedures, especially in busy commercial areas. Police emphasized that drivers are expected to thoroughly inspect vehicles before towing and immediately stop if alerted to a potential safety emergency.
Authorities say failing to do so can have catastrophic consequences, particularly when children are involved.
What Happens Next
The case remains under investigation as prosecutors review video evidence, witness statements, and police reports. Suarez’s future court dates and potential penalties will depend on how the case proceeds through the Broward County court system.
Anyone with additional information or video related to the incident is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
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