An unlicensed driver from Mexico was arrested after fleeing a crash that sent a woman and her two children to the hospital.
Erik Yoni Briano Briano, 32, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury and no driver’s license (never had one) after police tracked him down using his truck’s tag.
Police responded to the hit-and-run crash at the intersection of State Road 25 and County Road 466A at around 8:40 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
Upon arrival at the scene of the crash, the officer met with the victim. She advised that a dark truck struck her vehicle from behind and left the scene traveling south on SR 25. The victim and her two juvenile children were transported from the scene by Lake Fire and Rescue due to the injuries they sustained in the crash, the report said.
Utilizing the truck’s tag, the officer contacted Briano, the registered owner. He agreed to meet with officers at the crash scene. A short while later, Briano arrived in a different pickup truck with his brother and his nephew, the report said.
When the officer approached the truck, the nephew advised that Briano was the one driving the vehicle that caused the crash. He also advised that the truck involved in the crash was at his uncle’s house in Leesburg. Another officer was sent to that residence and confirmed the truck had front and end damage consistent with the crash, the report said.
Briano had his Miranda Rights relayed to him through his nephew, due to his inability to speak English, the report said. Briano stated he did not wish to speak with law enforcement but then spontaneously advised his nephew that he did not have enough time to stop the truck before hitting the victim’s vehicle.
The officer asked the nephew if Briano had a valid driver’s license, and he stated that he had one out of Mexico. He never got one in Florida, the report said.
Briano was subsequently arrested. He was transported to the Lake County Jail and released after posting $5,500 bond.
