HAINES CITY — An arrest warrant has been issued for a Haines City man accused of fleeing the scene of an accident and abandoning his stepchildren, ages 6 and 13, who were passengers in his vehicle.
Armando De Dios Cruz, 39, faces charges of child neglect for failing to remain with or care for his two stepchildren after their vehicle crashed into another vehicle and rolled over shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, the Haines City Police Department said.
The incident happened near the intersection of U.S. 17-92 North and Hinson Avenue.
According to police, Cruz violated the right of way of a car being driven by Hannah J. Arnold, who sustained a broken wrist when the two cars collided. The impact caused Cruz’s 6-year-old stepdaughter to be ejected from his vehicle.
She was airlifted to an Orlando hospital and was later released without injury, according to Haines City Police Chief James Elensky.
The 13-year-old was taken to Heart of Florida Medical Center in Davenport and released without injury, he said. She told investigators that Cruz was taking them to the store when the accident happened.
Cruz pleaded guilty Jan. 2 to driving without a valid driver license, the Police Department said. He has a history of nonmoving traffic violations dating to 2004.
Anyone with information about Cruz should contact police at 863-421-3636.