Seminole County man arrested on DUI, hit-and-run, child neglect charges

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County deputies arrested a man Friday on charges of driving under the influence, hit-and-run and child neglect.
 
Deputies said they received multiple calls about a white Ford Expedition driving erratically on Interstate 4 and colliding with a green truck near State Road 436. The driver of the green truck told deputies the white Ford was swerving in and out of lanes and then into the lane he was driving in and slammed on the brakes.
 
Deputies pulled the SUV over on State Road 434 and Raymond Avenue at a PNC Bank.
 
Deputies contacted fire rescue officials after the driver, later identified as Bermang Duarte, appeared to have a medical issue. The deputy said he smiled a sweet, fruity odor coming from the driver, which he believed was a possible insulin issue.
 
Duarte told deputies he is diabetic and usually wears a medical bracelet, according to reports.
 
Deputies said Duarte was holding a child in the PNC Bank parking lot. They said Duarte refused to put the child down so fire rescue officials could assess him and the child for injuries. They added that Duarte's speech was slurred, that his eyes were bloodshot and watery, and that they smelled alcohol on him.
 
Reports said they were able to get the child from Duarte and place him in handcuffs.
 
During the incident, Duarte's daughter began to vomit; both she and Duarte were taken to a hospital.
 
Deputies said they found empty containers of Mike's Hard Cranberry Lemonade in Duarte's vehicle and rear bumper damage consistent with crash reports.
 
Duarte is charged with child neglect without great bodily harm, DUI, driving with a permanently revoked license and leaving the scene of a traffic crash. After Duarte refused a breathalyzer test, he was also charged with refusal to submit to a lawful test of his breath.
 
Deputies requested Duarte not be allowed contact with his child because of his "obvious disregard for the safety and well-being of his child."

Cox Media Group