Florida Tow Truck Driver Arrested After Accidentally Towing Car with Child Inside
A Florida tow truck driver is facing criminal charges after unknowingly towing a car with a four-year-old girl still inside. This incident, which occurred in broad daylight, caused a chaotic scene and raised serious questions about safety protocols in vehicle recovery operations.
Key facts of the incident:
Sequence of Events
According to law enforcement, the incident occurred on Sunday near the Bistro Creole restaurant in Sunrise, Florida. The child’s father had allegedly parked illegally for about two minutes to go inside, leaving his young child unsupervised in the back seat.
Surveillance cameras captured the alarming moment when the father ran after the moving tow truck, desperately shouting that his daughter was still in the car. Moments later, a tow truck operated by Sergio Suarez appeared, and within seconds, hooked up the sedan and began towing it. The father tried to catch up, but the truck kept moving.
Aftermath and Injuries
Soon after, the tow truck entered a main road, and the girl fell from the car. As a result of the fall, she sustained minor injuries to her arm and knee.
Police were called to the scene and contacted Suarez from All-Ways Towing & Storage, ordering him to return. After returning to the scene and unhooking the car, the driver reportedly attempted to flee but was arrested. He has been charged with child neglect without great bodily harm.
Court Hearing and Defense Position
After spending a night in jail, Suarez appeared in court for a bond hearing. His attorney stated during the hearing:
He checked the vehicle three times before towing it. There was no child inside.
The attorney also noted that Suarez was accompanied by a coworker, described as a “spotter,” who also looked into the car before it was hooked. According to this version, neither of them saw the child, and it remains unclear how she could have been missed.
Court’s Reaction
Judge Corey Friedman, who presided over the hearing, did not appear convinced by these explanations. He expressed doubts:
This doesn’t make sense to me. If a 4-year-old child had to jump out of the car and get injured, it seems like no one checked the car because they would have been able to see a 4-year-old child.
This case highlights the critical importance of thoroughly inspecting vehicles before towing, especially in areas with active pedestrian and child presence. It also raises questions about parental responsibility for leaving children unsupervised in cars, even for a short time. The incident remains under investigation, and further legal proceedings are likely to examine the balance between the duties of towing services and parental responsibility for child safety.