Illegal immigrant flees local accident, then hits woman

Posted: Thursday, March 10, 2011 5:48 pm | Updated: 5:50 pm, Thu Mar 10, 2011.

Emily Fuggetta North Florida Herald | 1 comment

ALACHUA -- A man wanted by federal immigration enforcement is being held at the Alachua County Jail on a number of charges, including battery and child abuse, after a hit-and-run in Alachua.

On March 5, Persiliano Garcia, 20, of Mexico, ran into the back of a woman's sedan, according to an Alachua Police Department report.

When the woman, Sherell Hope of Alachua, got out of her car, Garcia backed up his white Honda sedan, hitting Hope in the leg, and drove away.

Police caught up to him on County Road 235, and a record check revealed Garcia was using a fake license. U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement has a detainer placed on Garcia for being in the country illegally.

Garcia was charged with child abuse because his young son was in the car and not secured by a seat belt or safety seat.

Perez, who is being held in the Alachua County jail on a $180,500 bond, was also charged with driving without a license and for the hit-and-run, which caused damage to Hope's vehicle and a road sign.

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