Man Charged With DUI, Hit-And-Run After Citizen Alerts Authorities

SEBRING - An Avon Park man was arrested by Sebring police after a concerned citizen flagged down a sheriff's deputy to report a hit-and-run driver in a white flat-bed truck weaving up U.S. 27 north.
Highlands County deputy Dan Wilson reported that when he pulled over the truck, the driver -- identified as Ubaldo "Lalo" Davila, 55 -- and also known as Baldo Jesus Davila, Eduardo Gonzales, Jose Gonzalez and Lalo Davila staggered out.

He did not have a Florida driver's license.

The witness, who wished not to be identified, said Tuesday that he saw the truck coming his way, in his rearview mirror. The road was wet as it had just rained Monday morning.

He saw the driver hit another vehicle and keep going, he said.

He flagged down the Highlands County deputy at the Albertson's parking lot. He managed to get the truck stopped at Valerie Boulevard.

The gold Chevrolet Trail Blazer that was hit was located in the parking lot of Advanced Auto Parts. The female driver told Sebring police she was stopped at the turning lane on U.S. 27 north and was taking her daughter to school when the white truck slid out of control and hit her.

It was about 7:56 a.m. Monday.

Davila told police he didn't remember hitting anything.

When asked if he had been drinking, Davila reportedly told police officer Tommy Harelson that he had a couple of drinks earlier, but was not drunk.

At the jail, Davila reportedly blew a .161 and a .164 on the intoxylizer breath alcohol machine at about 9:30 a.m. In Florida .080 is the legal limit for blood alcohol levels.

Davila was issued a civil citation on a charge of careless driving and three criminal citations for driving while driver's license suspended third or subsequent offense, leaving the scene of a crash with property damage greater than $50, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) with property damage.

Total damage to both vehicles was listed at $12,100.

Davila remains in Highlands County jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.