On September 2, in Florida, a two-year-old boy, identified as Asher Lepping, was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while riding his tricycle in his gated community.
The incident occurred on Labor Day in the Oak Bend neighbourhood, a normally quiet area that was shattered by the terrible crash.
According to authorities, Asher was playing near his home when a silver Toyota Tacoma, driven by 19-year-old Joshua Aidan Montero, sped toward him, hitting and dragging the toddler several feet before coming to a stop.
Asher’s parents, Krysten and Daniel Lepping, witnessed the devastating moment. They reportedly shouted at Montero to slow down before the collision, per the arrest affidavit obtained by the news and media outlet People.
Despite their desperate attempts to warn the driver, the truck struck their son and left behind a trail of blood as the child was dragged along the road. A neighbour quickly performed CPR on Asher, but the boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital from his injuries.
The tragic event, described by Detective Courtney Sullivan as “horrific” and “a careless and preventable act,” has deeply shaken the neighbourhood.
Sullivan, speaking to the Press, expressed sorrow over the loss of the young boy, stating, “Our agency is deeply saddened at the loss of this precious little boy. We hope that justice prevails for the little boy’s family. Our hearts go to his family during this heartbreaking time.”
Montero, the driver of the vehicle, now faces serious legal consequences. He has been charged with felony DUI manslaughter, as per Lake County Circuit Court records.
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At the time of the accident, Montero allegedly admitted to speeding when he struck the child, according to Tavares police officer C. Bannick, who recounted the sequence of events in a probable cause affidavit.
Bannick noted that when she approached Montero after the crash, he was sitting shirtless and barefoot on the sidewalk, clad only in swimming trunks, and appeared visibly disoriented. A strong odour of alcohol reportedly emanated from the teen, raising suspicions about his sobriety.
During questioning, Montero allegedly confessed to consuming alcohol earlier in the day at the beach.
Initially, he told investigators that he had drunk 15 cans of Michelob Ultra. However, he later revised this number to three or four cans consumed over four hours. His impairment was confirmed by two breathalyzer tests, which showed blood alcohol levels of .062 and .057, both numbers exceeding the legal limit for someone underage.
In the state of Florida, the legal drinking age is 21, and Montero, being 19, was not legally permitted to consume alcohol. Furthermore, Montero also admitted to using recreational cocaine two days before the accident. However, he claimed he had not consumed any on the day of the crash, allegedly due to his girlfriend’s objections.
Bannick’s affidavit described the driver as displaying common signs of recent drug use, noting his repeated nose itching and sniffing, behaviours often associated with cocaine use.
Montero’s statements to the police reflected a lack of full responsibility for his actions.
While being transported to jail, he allegedly downplayed his intoxication, telling the officer that he was “drunk but not drunk drunk” and “not too drunk to drive.” These remarks, combined with his history of alcohol and drug use, paint a troubling picture of the driver’s state of mind at the time of the fatal accident.
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The young driver is currently being held without bond at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, awaiting his arraignment scheduled for September 30.
According to his online court records, Montero has declined the appointment of a public defender, and it remains to be seen whether he has secured legal representation.
The Oak Bend community remains in mourning for Asher Lepping, who was described by neighbours as a “precious little boy” whose life was cut tragically short.
In the aftermath of the incident, a neighbour, Annie Brown, started a GoFundMe page to support the Lepping family during this unimaginably difficult time.
On the fundraising page, Brown wrote of the deep sorrow felt by the community: “We, in the Oak Bend neighbourhood, are all absolutely devastated for her and her husband. As a mom, I want to take this pain from her, but I can’t. However, I can ask that we all support her monetarily through this GoFundMe.”
Brown’s post also urged others to offer prayers of comfort for the grieving family, particularly for Asher’s young sister, who already feels her brother’s absence. “Please be in DEDICATED prayer for her, her husband, and her little girl who is already missing her brother,” Brown wrote.
The GoFundMe has become a rallying point for the community, as neighbours and strangers come together to financially and emotionally support the Lepping family.
The investigation into the accident and Montero’s conduct is still underway, with law enforcement officials working to ensure that justice is served. For now, the community hopes that through their collective prayers and support, the Lepping family can find peace amid their profound loss.
