ORLANDO, Fla., April 14 (UPI) -- A Florida judge refused Monday to raise the $100,000 bail he set for the man accused of causing a crash that killed a young girl at a daycare center.
During the hearing, prosecutors argued that Robert Corchado, 28, who has a long history of drug arrests, is likely to flee the country. Senior Judge Thomas Kirkland rejected their request to raise his bail to $250,000 and said Corchado cannot leave the Orlando area or drive if he is released from jail.
Corchado said he surrendered Thursday "as soon as the bondsman came to get me." He was arrested a day after Lily Quintus, 4, was killed when a Toyota Solara struck the KinderCare Learning Center in Winter Park.
Investigators say that Corchado fled after his Dodge Durango struck the Toyota, pushing it into the daycare center Wednesday afternoon. He allegedly abandoned the vehicle and rented another car during the 24 hours before his surrender.
Bail was set at $100,000, but Kirkland gave prosecutors the weekend to make a case for raising the amount. Corchado could face a life sentence as a habitual offender if he is convicted.
Corchado's lawyer argued for a steep reduction in bail.
Corchado, who lives in Winter Park, said he had been in Florida since he was 4 and has strong ties there, including a wife and children. He is unlikely to be released because he already faced charges for an allegedly drug-related crash in December and another judge revoked bail in that case Friday.
[Orlando Sentinel]
