February 16th, 2012
Posted in 
FROSTPROOF – A Lake Wales man was arrested for DUI manslaughter after leaving the scene of a crash on Tuesday night.
Eduardo Mora Mata, 30, was arrested following a one-vehicle crash that left one passenger dead and another critically injured. According to police, one of the passengers is still missing and the public is being asked to help find him and bring him to justice.
The incident in question took place at around 11 p.m. Tuesday night. Mata was driving a GMC SUV north on U.S. 27 when he veered off the road, causing the truck to roll over several times.
As the vehicle was rolling over, one of the passengers, 22-year-old Oliver Martinez Garcia, of Lake Wales, was thrown ejected and died once his hit the pavement. authorities say he was not wearing a seat belt.
The SUV came to rest right side up and then caught on fire. Another passenger in the back seat, Evodio Gallardo Garcia, 32, of Lake Wales, was able to pull yet another passenger, Noe Garcia, 25, from the vehicle to safety. Noe Garcia suffered severe injuries and was taken to Winter Haven Hospital and later transferred to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he is currently listed in critical condition.
Mata and another passenger, Manuel Santiz, both fled the scene. Mata was able to be tracked down after he knocked on several doors with an injured hand. He originally denied being in the car but Evodio Garcia and Noe Garcia confirmed he was the driver.
Mata is currently facing several charges, including DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Authorities continue to search for Santiz, who is a Hispanic male between 26 and 28 years old. Those with any information are urged to call the Sheriff’s office at 863.298.6200
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Tags: 28 Years, Critical Condition, Dui Conviction, Dui Crash, Dui Lawyer, Dui Lawyers, Gallardo, Gmc Suv, Hispanic Male, Jail Time, Lake Wales, Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Leaving The Scene Of An Accident, Manslaughter, Martinez Garcia, Oliver Martinez, Police Search, Regional Medical Center, Vehicle Crash, Winter Haven Hospital
