11-1-2024 Impaired Driver Causes Accident, Road Washout

Oviedo, Fla. – At approximately 10 p.m., Thursday, October 31 Oviedo Police and Fire responded to a vehicle accident reported on Oviedo Blvd near the intersection of Mike Roberto Way. The driver of the vehicle hit three parked vehicles before hitting a fire hydrant.

Oviedo Fire Units, R46 and E46 were able to assess one patient who was going to be taken to the hospital. As the ambulance (R46) was starting the transport, the roadway collapsed, due to the washout on the road from the broken fire hydrant. The rear of R46 fell into the washout.

A Seminole County Fire Unit was called to assist in transporting the patient since R46 could not move from the collapse. Once the Oviedo unit was stabilized, everyone inside was assisted out and a tow truck was able to pull the ambulance out of the washout. The ambulance was taken to the City’s fleet maintenance facility for repairs. There were no other injuries. 

Upon further investigation, Oviedo police officers determined the driver of the vehicle that hit three cars and a hydrant was impaired and was subsequently arrested. The driver, Robert W. Garcia, DOB 04/09/1992, was taken to the Seminole County Jail and charged with DUI and refusal to submit to DUI testing.

Oviedo Public Works crews arrived on the scene to assess the damage and began making repairs to the hydrant. At around 9 a.m., a valve was located and the flow of water was halted on Oviedo Blvd. The northbound lanes of Oviedo Blvd. between Mitchell Hammock Road and Center Lake Lane will be shut down Friday while crews assess the damage and work to open the road back to traffic.

Included in this press release are photos and video from the roadway this morning and the arrest report from Oviedo Police. There is no further information that can be provided at this time. Once the road is re-opened, the information will be posted on the City’s social media sites.

Arrest Report