PALMETTO, Fla. — A man was arrested in Palmetto after he allegedly drove under the influence and crashed into another car, causing an expecting mother to lose her unborn child.
On Sunday, April 6, around 4:36 a.m., Palmetto Police said officers responded to a crash on the DeSoto Bridge. Laurentino Serrano-Juarez, 31, was driving a GMC SUV when he struck a car head-on. The car was driven by a 28-year-old pregnant woman from St. Pete.
Police said both drivers were taken to the hospital. Serrano-Juarez was treated and released into police custody.
The woman suffered critical injuries and remains in the hospital. Her unborn child did not survive.
Police arrested and charged Serrano-Juarez with DUI manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury to another, DUI property damage, and driving with no valid driver's license.
Serrano-Juarez was taken to Manatee County Jail.
“You know, it might just be time we take a look if HOAs are really even necessary.
Maybe we should just do away with homeowner associations as a whole.”
South Florida lawmaker Rep. Juan Carlos Porras (R-Miami) says it may be time to do away with homeowners associations altogether, as more Floridians speak out about rising fees, costly lawsuits, and even arrests tied to HOA disputes. He said this week that he is considering filing legislation in the next session that would abolish HOAs statewide.