WINTER HAVEN – A Winter Haven man accused of leaving the scene of an accident that killed a child in Orlando has been arrested, according to an affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Jonathan Caleb Williams, 21, was arrested before 2 p.m. Wednesday for violating probation. Williams acknowledged to leaving the county without permission Tuesday night and was charged with a hit-and-run with fatality by the Florida Highway Patrol on Friday afternoon.
According to a report from FHP, 12-year-old Sebastian Duque was struck by a 2005 Ford Focus driven by Williams while crossing International Drive near Westwood Boulevard on his bicycle after 7 p.m. Tuesday. The boy and friends, who were walking, were crossing the road, but not at a crosswalk.
According to FHP, Williams was traveling north when he hit the boy. After striking Sebastian, Williams stopped the car before running from the scene on foot.
Sebastian was taken to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando where he died, according to FHP. Williams was not hurt. It is unknown whether alcohol was a factor.
Williams had been on probation for a May 2016 incident when he was arrested on charges of burglary of a structure, grand theft, drug paraphernalia and cultivation of marijuana, per the Sheriff's Office website. He was also arrested in September 2015 on drug-related charges. He is being held in the Polk County Jail without bail.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, a GoFundMe set up for the boy’s family had raised more than $16,500, exceeding its goal of $15,000. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/support-for-a-beautiful-family.
Mike Ferguson can be reached at Mike.Ferguson@theledger.com or 863-4016981. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.