| Probable cause affidavit: |
SUBMITTED BY: FHP TROOPER SUDLOW 1533 (AR15-17536) THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH OCCURRING ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PROPERTY WHICH RESULTS IN INJURY TO A PERSON OTHER THAN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY SHALL IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH, OR AS CLOSE THERETO AS POSSIBLE, AND SHALL REMAIN AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH UNTIL HE OR SHE HAS FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENT, IN VIOLATION OF FLORIDA STATE STATUE 316.027(2)(A). A VEHICLE THAT WAS DRIVEN BY THE DEFENDANT, MR GERARD CHRISTOPHER ARIDAS, WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON TRAIL 13, NORTH OF TRAIL 2 IN CITRUS COUNTY, FLORIDA, ON 120515 AROUND 0230 HOURS. THE DEFENDANT FAILED TO STAY ON THE DIRT ROAD AND LEFT THE EAST SHOULDER. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT LEFT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN OAK TREE. THE DEFENDANT FAILED TO REPORT THE CRASH AND REMAIN ON SCENE. THE DEFENDANT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE TRAIL. THE DEFENDANT GOT A RIDE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE AND LEFT THE JEEP ON THE TRAIL. THE PASSENGERS, TWO JUVENILE FEMALES, WERE TAKEN TO CITRUS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL BY AN UNKNOWN PARTY, WHO FOUND THE JEEP AND OCCUPANTS ON THE TRAIL. THE TWO FEMALES WERE LATER TRANSFERRED TO SHANDS HOSPITAL IN GAINESVILLE FLORIDA FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. THE TWO FEMALES IDENTIFIED MR GERARD CHRISTOPHER ARIDAS AS THE DRIVER AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE FEMALES STATED THAT HIS JEEP HIT A BUMP, WENT OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE. THE FEMALES WERE NOT WEARING SEATBELTS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. ON 120815, THE DEFENDANT WAS READ HIS MIRANDA RIGHTS, AT WHICH TIME THE DEFENDANT CHOSE TO SPEAK WITH ME. POST MIRANDA, THE DEFENDANT ADMITTED TO DRIVING DOWN THE TRAIL, LOSING CONTROL AND HITTING A TREE. THE DEFENDANT STATED THAT NOBODY IN THE JEEP WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. THE DEFENDANT STATED THAT AN OLDER COUPLE PICKED THE OCCUPANTS OF THE JEEP UP AND GAVE THEM A RIDE BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. AT THAT TIME, THE DEFENDANT WAS ADVISED THAT HE WAS BEING PLACED UNDER ARREST FOR LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH WITH INJURIES. HE WAS HANDCUFFED, (DOUBLE LOCKED), BEHIND HIS BACK, SECURED IN THE REAR OF MY PATROL VEHICLE AND TRANSPORTED TO THE CITRUS COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY FOR BOOKING AND PROCESSING WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEFENDANT WAS ISSUED CRIMINAL CITATION NUMBER A4W14RE, FOR LEAVING THE SCENE OF A CRASH WITH INJURY. THE DEFENDANT WAS ISSUED UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION A4YA3NE, FOR CARELESS DRIVING, PAYABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS TO THE CITRUS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS. THE DEFENDANT WAS ISSUED UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION A4YA3ME, FOR THE PASSENGER UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, PAYABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS TO THE CLERK OF COURT. THE DEFENDANT WAS ALSO ISSUED UNIFORM TRAFFIC CITATION NUMBER A4YA3LE, FOR A PASSENGER UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS OLD NOT WEARING A SEATBELT, PAYABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS TO THE CITRUS COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS. THE DEFENDANT'S BOND WAS SET AT $5,000.00, PER THE BOND SCHEDULE. |
