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Genaro Delacruz Ajqui Arrested on DUI Charges for Crash That Killed Two Paramedics in Jupiter, Florida

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Genaro-Delacruz-Ajqui-226x300Genaro Delacruz Ajqui, a native of Guatemala, was arrested on Thursday for his involvement in the June 1 crash in Jupiter, Florida that led to the deaths of paramedics Paul Besaw and Lahiri Garcia.

Ajqui, 39, is being charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter, driving without a license causing death, and DUI damage to person/property. He was arrested after he was released from St. Mary’s Medical Center on June 15. He is being held at Palm Beach County Jail. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, the crash took place outside Colonial Plaza on Indiantown Road in Jupiter. Garcia, 51, and Besaw, 36, were driving an ambulance west on the road to the American Medical Response (AMR) station on Indian Creek Drive after dropping off a patient at a nearby hospital.

Ajqui was reportedly driving a Chrysler Sebring east when he tried to make a U-turn in the median and collided with the ambulance. The impact overturned the ambulance and heavily damaged the right side of the Chrysler. The two paramedics died at the scene. Ajqui was critically injured and was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center for treatment.

“The AMR family has lost two amazing people. They were dedicated husbands, fathers, friends and teammates,” Bill Hall, regional director for AMR, told news sources.

Ajqui’s wife, Mary De Leon, reportedly told Jupiter police that her husband had been drinking when she arrived at the crash site. She said he had been yelling and slurring his speech, and that he had been drinking an alcoholic drink made from “apples.”

According to news sources, Ajqui is in the U.S. illegally. A Jupiter police spokesperson told the press that his immigration status will be dealt with by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

An ICE spokesperson said that he did not have enough information to comment on the case. However, the criminal proceedings of illegal immigrants take priority over deportation hearings. If an immigrant is convicted, they would have to serve whatever time is imposed by a judge before being turned over for deportation proceedings. If a person is charged but acquitted, they could still face deportation hearings.

Court records reportedly show Ajqui has been cited for several traffic violations over the past decade. He was cited three times for driving without a license and once for not having a tag for his vehicle. He pleaded guilty in each case and paid a fine.

Dawn Besaw, the wife of Paul Besaw, told news sources that she didn’t understand how Ajqui was still allowed to drive after being cited for traffic violations on so many occasions.

“How can you explain that to me? He’s been picked up for driving without a license and other driving violations, and he is still driving? How is that possible,” Besaw reportedly said.

The Florida legislature has passed tough DUI laws because of all the deaths that have been caused by drunk drivers. As a minimum requirement, anyone convicted of DUI crimes in Florida must receive a combined sentence that may include driver’s license suspension, community service, DUI classes, vehicle impoundment, court costs, fines, and payment of restitution.

Source: 6.15.17 Ajqui Arrested on DUI Charges for Jupiter, Florida Crash.pdf

Paramedics Lahiri Garcia and Paul Besaw Killed in Jupiter, Florida Car Crash

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Lahiri-Garcia-and-Paul-Besaw-300x169Two paramedics were killed last week after their ambulance crashed in Jupiter, Florida. They were identified as Paul Besaw, 36, and Lahiri Garcia, 51. Both men worked for American Medical Response (AMR).

According to the police report, the crash occurred at around 3 a.m. on May 25 outside Colonial Plaza on a section of Indiantown Road. Garcia and Besaw were driving to the AMR station on Indian Creek Drive after dropping off a patient at a nearby hospital. They were alone in the ambulance at the time of crash.

A witness told news sources that a red Chrysler Sebring convertible that was driving east on Indiantown Road attempted to make a U-turn in the median and pulled out in front of the ambulance, which was driving west on the road. The ambulance did not have its emergency lights on, but both vehicles had their headlights on.

The impact left the ambulance was on its side and heavily damaged the right side of the Chrysler. The occupants of both vehicles had to be cut out by firefighters, Captain Albert Borroto told the press. The name of the driver of the Chrysler has not been released, but he was reportedly critically injured and was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Besaw and Garcia died at the scene.

“The AMR family has lost two amazing people. They were dedicated husbands, fathers, friends and teammates,” said Bill Hall, regional director for AMR.

A recent town study found that the stretch of Indiantown road where the accident occurred, which is close to the 3,000-student Jupiter High School, has seen 27 crashes in the past five years. Three of the crashes involved bicycles and one involved a pedestrian. Most of the crashes took place at peak school traffic times, the report said

“The current roadway configuration generates extremely high-risk vehicular behavior and maneuvers often performed by young and inexperienced drivers attending Jupiter Community High School,” the report stated.

Jupiter officials agree that the road is long overdue for improvements.

“It’s a tragedy that we haven’t fixed this problem already. There have to be traffic pattern changes in that area,” said Jupiter Vice Mayor Wayne Posner.

Posner’s sentiments were echoed by Colleen Lannitti, the principal of Jupiter High School, during a recent town council meeting. Lannitti called the current traffic pattern “a hazard both for drivers and walkers” and said “anything that can be done to relieve traffic would be beneficial for families and students.”

A restaurant located on the stretch of road, which often has traffic backups at lunchtime, has also requested the town make changes on Indiantown Road to help lessen backups and improve safety.

Changes are reportedly being considered. The town is moving forward with a plan to offer $2.8 million for two vacant plots near the high school that will be used to improve road safety. The changes will include a traffic signal and a turn lane on Indiantown.

Source: 6.1.17 Paramedics Garcia and Besaw Killed in Jupiter Car Crash.pdf