Over the past weekend in Winter Haven, Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested Roberto Sandobal-Lopez, a Nicaraguan national residing in the United States without legal authorization, after he was involved in a DUI and hit-and-run incident. On the evening of August 16, Sandobal-Lopez allegedly crashed his vehicle into a fenced yard on Spirit Lake Road and then attempted to flee the scene. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, witnesses reported seeing the driver exit his white Honda and leave it behind after crashing into the fence around 7:00 p.m.
Deputies found Sandobal-Lopez near the location of the crash, observing that he had watery, bloodshot eyes, and they detected the odor of alcohol. When questioned, he admitted to drinking six bottles of Modelo beer earlier that evening. Subsequent field sobriety tests suggested impairment and breath samples revealed blood alcohol concentrations of 0.13 and 0.124. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including DUI with property damage, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, and operating without a valid driver's license. These charges were enhanced due to his immigration status, elevating what would have been misdemeanors to higher offenses.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd commented on the incident, underscoring the potential danger that Sandobal-Lopez could have posed. "Our illegal guest from Nicaragua could have very easily injured someone, or destroyed a family while driving drunk -- fortunately it was only a fence he destroyed. And then he cowardly walked away from the scene and responsibility," Judd said. He added, "In Florida, if you’re committing the crime of being here illegally, your other criminal charges are enhanced one degree; he's now facing a serious felony because he caused damage to property while driving under the influence."
Under current Florida law, individuals whose presence in the U.S. is not authorized can face increased penalties for other legal infractions. Sandobal-Lopez remains in custody at the Polk County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings in this latest example of how law and policy collide in the lives of those navigating the edges of citizenship and legality.
