Surveillance footage from 14/12 in Florida captured a tow truck driving away with a child still inside the towed vehicle. This incident led to injuries, an arrest, and a court confrontation.
A tow truck driver is facing criminal charges after inadvertently towing a car with a 4-year-old girl still inside. This event created a chaotic scene in broad daylight and raised serious questions about safety procedures in towing operations.
The incident occurred outside the Bistro Creole restaurant in Sunrise, Florida. The child's father reportedly parked illegally for about two minutes to go inside, leaving his young child unattended in the back seat.
Minutes later, a tow truck driven by Sergio Suarez, 34, appeared. Within seconds, it hooked up the sedan and began to tow it away. The father realized the emergency and rushed after it, shouting that his daughter was still inside, but the tow truck continued to drive.
The father then witnessed his daughter fall out of the car, sustaining minor injuries to her arm and knee.
Police were called to the scene and contacted Suarez, instructing him to return. After returning to the scene and releasing the vehicle, Suarez was arrested.
According to the arrest report, Suarez told police he did not check for occupants before towing the car. He also stated that he continued driving after the father banged on his truck window because he "feared the man could become aggressive".
Suarez further claimed he received multiple calls from his company, informing him there was a girl in the car he was towing. However, when he stopped to check, he found no one inside.
The arrest report stated that Suarez's alleged actions "constitute culpable negligence and demonstrate a reckless disregard for the safety of a minor, directly leading to the child's injuries".
Suarez was charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony in Florida, and was released on a 10,000 USD bond.
In court on 15/12, Suarez's attorney claimed he checked the car three times before towing it. However, the judge noted that video of the incident showed otherwise and Suarez "admitted that he did not look into the vehicle".
My Anh (according to ABC News)
