Suspected drunk driver granted bond weeks after teen hit, killed while riding scooter
TAMPA, Fla. - Carlos J. Irizarry-Ramos, who’s accused of hitting and killing a 16-year-old while driving under the influence in Hillsborough County, was granted bond on Tuesday.
Prosecutors say Michael Doster, 16, was hit and killed while he and his friend were riding electric scooters near 21st Ave. SE and Pine Terrace Drive in Ruskin.
Investigators say the crash happened shortly after midnight on Oct. 26.
Carlos J. Irizarry-Ramos while appearing in court on DUI murder charges.
At a pretrial detention hearing on Tuesday, deputies and a detective with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office testified about what happened the night of the crash.
Prosecutors say Doster and his friend were riding electric scooters on the shoulder of the road.
Deputies say they spoke to the friend at the scene, who had minor injuries.
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"Defendant traveled across lanes of traffic, striking two juveniles who were operating their scooters legally, with proper illumination," the prosecutor said.
The state says Irizarry-Ramos crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting and killing Doster.
"He said that he was just traveling, and he just heard something, that he hit something," a deputy who responded to the scene said.
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One of the deputies who was on the scene says Irizarry-Ramos admitted to having drunk alcohol that night.
"After the crash occurred, my client went over to check on the victims," Irizarry-Ramos’s attorney, Francesca de la Grana, said. "Yes, he did not call 911, but he stayed on scene and cooperated the entire time."
Carlos J. Irizarry-Ramos sits next to his attorney while his hearing is taking place.
The defense said the road on which the crash happened was poorly lit.
Deputies say they conducted a field sobriety test with Irizarry-Ramos at the scene. They say a blood test was conducted a few hours after the crash.
Irizarry-Ramos’s attorney pointed out that he was not arrested the night of the crash but instead, after the results of the blood test came back.
"These investigations take time in order to gather all the relevant evidence," the detective said. "And so, sending stuff off to a lab, those can take anywhere between 1 to 3 months. And so we wait till we get all the evidence back before we make a charging decision."
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Irizarry-Ramos was arrested on Friday, Dec. 6. His attorney says he turned himself in right after the warrant for his arrest was issued.
"He is a contributing member of society," de la Grana said. "We continue to see that. Since this incident on October 26, my client has not consumed alcohol."
She argued for the judge to grant Irizarry-Ramos a bond, saying he has a secure, stable job, a home, and a supportive family.
"And, as you can see, from presiding over this hearing all morning, he is extremely remorseful," de la Grana said.
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However, prosecutors asked the judge for no bond due to the nature of the crime.
"His blood alcohol level was over the legal limit nearly four hours after the crash," the prosecutor said.
Irizarry-Ramos is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, two counts of driving under the influence with property damage or personal injury, and one count of reckless driving with property damage or personal injury.
The judge denied the state’s motion for pretrial detention, setting a bond for the charges totaling $126,500. He also ordered Irizarry to surrender his passport, have a SCRAM monitor, and not consume alcohol or visit any bars during this time.
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