Leesburg man arrested in 2023 hit-and-run charged with beating up wife

A Leesburg man was arrested for allegedly hitting his wife in front of her children following a verbal altercation.

Salvador Acosta Hernandez, 47, was arrested in January 2023 for fleeing the scene of a crash that injured a mother and daughter. The prosecutor’s office eventually announced that no information would be filed in the case, although it reserved the right to potentially refile charges. Prior to the 2023 hit-and-run accident, Acosta Hernandez had previously been arrested in Lake County for driving without a license

Acosta Hernandez was arrested Saturday after allegedly battering his wife.

A deputy responded to a battery at an undisclosed Leesburg residence around 8:23 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Upon arrival, the deputy met with the victim who was outside with her two juvenile children. 

The victim stated that she and her husband, Acosta Hernandez, had been involved in a verbal altercation earlier in the day. She explained that they reside with the children as a family. However, when she left the residence with her children, she returned later that afternoon to find all the doors were locked, the report said. 

One of the juveniles entered through an open window and unlocked the door, allowing the wife to enter the home. A verbal argument then ensued, at which time she was struck multiple times on the right side of her head with an open hand by Acosta Hernandez. She tried to stop him from hitting her and scratched his arm in the process by grabbing it. The juveniles witnessed the event, the report said. 

Acosta Hernandez was found inside the residence and detained. He only spoke Spanish, so a Spanish-speaking officer was requested and arrived on scene to translate. He was read his rights and still wished to speak with law enforcement, the report said. 

Acosta Hernandez claimed that he was in the shower when he was attacked by the victim. His mother corroborated the story. There was no physical indication that he had recently taken a shower, though, the report said. 

Due to the testimony of the juveniles and the victim, Acosta Hernandez was arrested and transported to Lake County Jail without incident. The two juveniles demonstrated they were able to tell the difference between the truth and a lie and were qualified by another deputy. A criminal history was queried through the Lake County Communications Center, which revealed Acosta Hernandez had no prior battery convictions, the report said. 

The Department of Children and Families was contacted on behalf of both the juveniles and Acosta Hernandez’ mother. A case worker advised that the information met the criteria for them to accept the case, the report said. 

The native of Mexico was charged with simple battery (domestic). Bond was set at $5,000. 

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