TAVARES, Fla. – A hardware store in Lake County held a fundraiser to help raise money for the family of a 2-year-old boy who was run over by an accused drunken driver last week.
Carter’s Ace Hardware of Tavares partnered with other businesses in the area at the store on State Road 19 on Saturday afternoon.
“What can you feel except for the devastation for the family and the community itself? Of course your heart goes out to him and how do you make it better? This is the best way we know how to do it,” said Stephanie Hayes, Tavares Chamber of Commerce CEO.
A group of people and businesses have sold donated burgers, sausages hotdogs and more since Wednesday, raising over $8,000 for the family.
“This is our job as a community to come together and support each other. We give it the community, the community gives back to us,” said event organizer Amanda Maynard.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
On Friday, members of Tavares’ police and fire departments joined a community vigil held for the child, later identified as Asher Lepping.
Naming officers Bannick, Welte and Cpl. O’Shea, the police department said on social media that they and the other first responders in attendance for the vigil were the same who worked the night of the incident.
We want to thank the Oak Bend Community for not only inviting us to be (a part) of the vigil, but for coming together for the family when they need the community the most.
Tavares Police Department on Facebook 1:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 (excerpt)
Photos of the vigil showed people of all ages gathered in the neighborhood where Joshua Aidan Montero, 19, is accused of speeding through in a Toyota Tacoma before the pickup truck hit the boy.
The boy was riding a tricycle in the street in front of his parents’ house when he was run over, police said, adding the child then died at the hospital.
Montero was arrested for DUI based on “many indicators of impairment being observed,” police said, noting the 19-year-old’s allegedly bloodshot eyes, his initial refusal to participate in field sobriety exercises, and a strong odor of alcohol about him.
Once at the jail, Montero consented to a breath test which returned results of 0.062 and 0.057, police said. Though a blood alcohol content of 0.08 is the legal limit in Florida, Montero’s results are still considered over the limit given he’s under the legal drinking age.
Montero is being held without bond.
A GoFundMe has been established to support the 2-year-old’s family. To donate, click here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: