ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A man has been arrested in connection with a December hit-and-run crash that killed a 13-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle in Orange County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said Jared Ryan Prochazka, 23, was arrested Sunday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
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The fatal hit-and-run crash was reported Dec. 22 on Montello Drive at Tree Ridge Lane in the Arbor Ridge West subdivision near the Econ Trail.
According to the affidavit for an arrest warrant, deputies were called to a home along Nicoma Lane in reference to a domestic violence incident.
Investigators said they tried to question Prochazka about the domestic violence, but the man took off in his 2021 Toyota Tacoma, hitting several holiday decorations as he tried to get away.
FHP said the boy was riding east on Montello Drive when he was hit by a 2021 Toyota Tacoma that was traveling west. The pickup truck then ran over the boy, and the driver did not stop, according to an FHP crash report.
The boy was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the FHP said.
Deputies said Prochazka later returned to the scene of the domestic violence incident, where he was arrested. Deputies, according to the affidavit, questioned the man about the damage to his truck, but he claimed he hit a tree at a gas station. Prochazka was arrested at the time on charges related to the domestic violence incident, records show.
Investigators said cellphone records placed Prochazka in the area of the crash at the time it occurred. Deputies also said they obtained a recording of a jailhouse phone call where Prochazka described the events of the deadly crash in detail.
Prochazka faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and vehicular homicide.