JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville man is in custody facing vehicular homicide charges nearly six months after a head-on crash that killed a Stetson football player.
The arrest report says 39-year-old Ariel Monteagudo was arrested by the United States Marshalls Fugitive Task Force on Monday. He is charged with vehicular homicide.
The arrest report says around 1 a.m. on May 9, a Mercedes Benz driven by Monteagudo was driving the wrong way on Old St. Augustine Road. He hit a Chevy Trailblazer head on driven by Trenton Stewart. The arrest report notes the impact 'drove the Trailblazer backwards (opposite direction from which it was traveling) and caused it to overturn and come to rest on the driver's side against a tree.'
Both were transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Stewart died and Monteagudo was intubated.
Stewarts' parents, Mandi and Robert Stewart called the wait for Monteagudo's arrest the 'longest six months of their lives'.
"We've been fighting for this justice for such a long time," Mandi Stewart said. "Not the justice that we want, but some form of justice for Trenton. It's a reminder he's never coming home. It is a mixture of being thankful, being angry, and the deepest sadness you could ever imagine."
Stewart was a graduate of Creekside High School and a member of the Stetson University football team.
Stewart was named to the Fall 2022 Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll. His parents say at the time of the crash, Trenton was driving for DoorDash.
"Trenton embodied everything that you would want as a son, a friend, a brother, a teammate," Stewart said.
Monteagudo appeared in court for the first time Tuesday in a wheelchair. He told the judge he was not at fault and his car was broken down. The judge told Monteagudo there is probable cause found.
"A couple of facts in this case is that the location in which this accident took place the speed limit is 45mph, your speed is estimated at 113mph," the judge told Monteagudo.
The arrest report notes the weather was clear with no rain. There are streetlights in the area, as well as businesses nearby which have some lighting illuminating the roadway. The report also says according to an eyewitness to the crash, 'the driver of the Mercedes was able to get out of the vehicle and crawl across the road to the other vehicle where he was heard cursing.'
This isn't the first time Monteagudo has been charged. He spent 10 years in prison for vehicular homicide and other crimes committed in Broward County between 2001 and 2002.
"The lives he's impacted and the careless disregard that he has the lack of empathy that he has for the lives that. He's forever altered for me. Trenton was my only biological child, so he literally took everything away from me," Stewart said.
The Stewart's say they are putting their pain into purpose by reminding others about the importance of safe driving and spreading the word about the Trenton Stewart Foundation.
"The goal is to raise at least $35,000 a year to be able to provide scholarships locally to student athletes, in addition to at least a $10,000 scholarship to a Stetson University football player who embodies the characteristics that Trenton did," Stewart said.
Monteagudo is in custody in the Duval County Jail. His bond is set at $750,000. His next court appearance is later this month.