OCOEE, Fla. — Lastevie Howard bonded out of the Orange County Jail Friday night after a judge increased his bond amount to $91,000.
Howard, 41, posted bond and left the jail just after 9 p.m. Friday. He had nothing to say to Channel 9 reporter Ryan Huges as he walked out.
Charges against Howard were upgraded and he was rearrested in court earlier in the day.
Aubrey Clark, 10, was riding her bicycle from school with her friend, Jorda el Ouadi, in Ocoee last month when police said Howard struck them as he sped out of a Walgreens parking lot.
Clark died days later in the hospital.
Howard was taken to the Orange County Jail after the hearing Friday.
His wife, Suhdeena Howard, was the only witness to testify, saying that the family didn’t have enough to pay the bond and that he was the sole provider for their four children.
The state argued that despite a potential financial hardship to his family, Howard is a risk to the community and should not be driving. They said he has a history of traffic infractions, including running red lights.
The judge ordered Howard to be placed in county custody.
Channel 9 found out Howard was a deacon in an Orlando church, and still has a valid driver's license.
Howard was accused of hitting the children and driving away, but he disputes the allegations.
"The evidence will show, there's no question in our mind, it was physically impossible for Mr. Howard to miss the little girl in the accident," said defense attorney Jacob Stuart.
Surveillance video captured the crash, which investigators said shows Howard driving away.
“It’s tough. It’s really hard. And they’re taking it one day at a time,” said Dan Oliver, a spokesperson for the family.
The family agreed with prosecutors who asked the judge to increase the bond.
“It doesn't matter if he makes bail today. It's what happens in the end,” Oliver said.
The parents of the two victims were in court and watched as Howard was led away in handcuffs.
Howard faces 80 years in prison if convicted.
He’s due in court next month.
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