HASTINGS, Fla. — The State Attorney's Office has charged a St. Johns County man with DUI causing death to a child and DUI with damage to a person or property, after he allegedly hit and killed 13-year-old Xavier Santana.
The incident happened January 2, 2022 on County Road 13 near Flagler Estates in Hastings.
Records show Donald Ricks, 48, of Palatka, was under the influence of methamphetamines when he hit Xavier, who was riding his bicycle.
A report says his "faculties and operating abilities were impaired."
Police say Ricks was driving down CR-13 and swerved left to avoid striking a witness who was on the shoulder. His "divided attention abilities were compromised," and he "failed to observe" Xavier in the roadway and struck him.
The family of 13-year-old, Xavier Santana, has confirmed he was the teen killed Sunday when a truck hit his bicycle.
Witnesses said there was a limited shoulder along the road.
One of them, Denis Romanov, told First Coast News: "There was no room just to go around or anything."
Xavier's father said he believed the driver was speeding -- police have now determined he was going 62 in a 55 mph zone.
He said his son was a good kid who looked out for others in the neighborhood. He added his son babysat and cut lawns in the neighborhood.