Robert Corchado is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, trafficking heroin, and leaving the scene of a car crash that ended with the death of a four-year-old girl at her daycare center on April 9th of this year. According to Florida Highway Patrol troopers, Corchado crashed his Dodge Durango into another driver in a Toyota Solara. The Solara ultimately lost control and when the driver tried to hit the brakes to stop, he hit the accelerator instead and ended up crashing into the wall of Goldenrod KinderCare. The crash injured at least a dozen children, 13 people being hospitalized, and four-year-old Lily Quintus later died due to her injuries.

The defendant, Robert Corchado is charged with fleeing from his Durango and leaving packages of drugs near a house on Orange Avenue. The following day he turned himself into the Orange County Jail. The other driver who was in the Solara and involved in the crash was not charged.

The trial for Corchado is scheduled to begin this Thursday morning, December 4th. A jury was chosen Tuesday, December 2nd after two days of the selection process.

Fleeing the Scene in Florida

When an accident occurs, it is the responsibility of the driver who was involved in the crash to immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash and remain at the scene for as long as necessary, no matter the seriousness of injuries that occurred. However, the penalties and charges for fleeing the scene increase if an injury does occur.

  • Fleeing a Scene that Results in Injury Other than Serious Body Injury: A person who flees a scene under these circumstances will be charged with a felony in the third degree.
  • Fleeing a Scene that Results in Serious Body Injury: A person who flees a scene under these circumstances will be charged with a felony in the second degree.
  • Fleeing a Scene that Results in Death: A person who willfully flees a scene under these circumstances will be charged with a felony in the first degree and will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum prison term of four years.
  • A person who willfully flees a scene under these circumstances and has previously been convicted of a violation under this section or another felony violation will be held in custody until they are brought before the court for admittance to bail.
  • A person who willfully flees a scene under these circumstances while they are driving under the influence will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum prison sentence of four years.

A driver charged with fleeing a scene will also be ordered by the court to make restitution to the victim or any damage or loss unless the court finds a clear and compelling reason not to do so. A driver will also have their driver’s license revoked for at least three years, and other restrictions based on the nature and circumstances of the crime may be imposed. The judge may inflict other punishments and penalties depending on the circumstances of the situation itself.

Were You the Victim of a Hit and Run?

If you or someone you know was a victim of a hit and run accident, make sure to get someone who is on your side and will fight for you and your rights. Contact the attorneys at Reed & Reed today to learn how we can help. From our office in Brandon, we help clients in Tampa, New Tampa, Plant City, throughout east Hillsborough County and the state of Florida. Contact Reed & Reed for a free consultation.