A 25-year-old man is facing DUI and child neglect charges after allegedly fleeing the scenes of two hit-and-run crashes Saturday night while a young child was in his vehicle, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.
- Luis Montoya was arrested after a motorist on Okaloosa Island reported that a white Ford F-150 pickup truck struck his vehicle and drove away. The witness obtained the truck’s license plate number, allowing deputies to locate an image of the vehicle using Flock technology.
An OCSO Deputy in Destin spotted the truck traveling on Highway 98 and noticed signs of impairment as he followed the vehicle. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Montoya reportedly disregarded it, continuing at 23 mph before eventually stopping in the middle lane of Highway 98 near Indian Bayou Trail.
Montoya allegedly refused commands to exit the vehicle. As deputies approached, a young child got out of the back door and walked toward them. The child was unharmed, according to the report.
- Deputies determined Montoya was intoxicated. They also learned he had allegedly struck another vehicle in Destin.
Montoya is charged with DUI, hit and run leaving the scene of a crash with property damage, child neglect, resisting an officer without violence, and resisting an officer fleeing lights and sirens. He is currently in the Okaloosa County Jail with a hold for Immigration.
