A Canadian man faced two felony child neglect charges in the Florida Keys after deputies accused him of driving drunk and crashing his vehicle with his 4-month-old daughter inside Tuesday evening.
According to an arrest report, someone called the sheriff’s office at around 6:30 p.m. to report that a driver crashed a red Camaro into a concrete wall at mile marker 22 on the Overseas Highway and kept driving northbound, “speeding up and slowing down.”
Soon after, deputies saw the driver, later identified as Peeyush Gupta, a 30-year-old Ontario resident, stopped at the Shell gas station at 27300 Overseas Highway on Ramrod Key, the report states.
Gupta then drove away from the gas station and deputies followed the vehicle, “swerving from side to side” and following other vehicles too closely, leading them to pull over Gupta on Big Pine Key, authorities said.
The report states Gupta’s wife was in the vehicle and so was his baby daughter, who was crying. Deputies said Gupta’s wife was also drunk and in no position to drive either.
Gupta, who smelled of alcohol, initially told deputies he was coming from Canada, then Miami, then Key West, the report states.
He would soon tell deputies that he had a pitcher of Budweiser that night in Key West, which he said he consumed “within five minutes,” authorities said.
Authorities took him into custody after he failed field sobriety tests, the report states.
It states his wife would tell deputies that the baby girl was crying because she did not have any food and said they were planning on driving from Key West to Miami to get food for the baby.
Deputies wrote that they arrested Gupta on charges of child neglect without great bodily harm based on his impaired driving and not having food for the infant. Authorities said they notified the Florida Department of Children and Families.
He also faced a misdemeanor DUI charge. Gupta remained behind bars in Monroe County’s Key West jail facility as of Wednesday.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is challenging, but you don’t have to face it without support. Ovadia Law Group’s experienced team is here to assist you through this difficult time. We specialize in handling car accident cases, offering personalized attention and steadfast representation. From investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies, our attorneys are committed to advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. You’re not alone—call us at 1-800-674-9396 and let us guide you through the legal process. At Ovadia Law Group, we prioritize your well-being and are dedicated to helping you move forward after a car accident.
Source: local10
