FORT MEADE, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) stated on Saturday that the suspected driver in a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a 9-year-old child had been arrested.
PCSO said Andres Martinez was riding a bike on Hutchins Road when he was hit and killed.
Gilbert Almaguer, 45, of Bowling Green, was identified as the suspect.
PCSO said Martinez was riding his bicycle to a friend's house when the driver of a red four-door Chevrolet Silverado struck and killed him. The truck driver then left the scene.
In a news conference, Sheriff Grady Judd described Martinez as a "good student" and "good child."
According to the sheriff's office, Martinez was in 4th grade at Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary School in Fort Meade.
Deputies say Almaguer called the Hardee County Sheriff's office later that night and claimed to be a passenger in the truck that hit and killed Martinez.
He was arrested in Hardee County and will be transferred to the Polk County Jail at a later date.
This is a breaking news story. ABC Action News will provide more details as the become available.
