A Guatemalan national who may be in the U.S. illegally has been arrested for hitting a child on a scooter while driving without a license in Florida this week, according to reports.
The disturbing incident unfolded at around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday evening in Port Charlotte.
A 12-year-old girl was riding an electric scooter in a residential neighborhood when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Arlin Magali Monroy Salazar, 45, authorities say.
“It was awful, I saw everything that happened. It was a big bang. It was awful,” a resident who witnessed the crash and called 911 told Fox 4.
Monroy Salazar was arrested by Florida Highway Patrol for driving without a license and booked into Charlotte County Jail under two names – Arlin Magali Monroy Salazar and Arlin Magalo Monroy-Salazar, a known alias.
The Guatemalan required an interpreter for her first appearance in court, records indicate.
Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer against Monroy Salazar, indicating she may be in the country illegally, which could lead to felony charges under new Florida laws.
The victim was taken to a local hospital and listed in stable but serious condition.
An investigation is ongoing.