FORT MYERS, FL – A 26-year-old man accused of fleeing a crash with three young children and throwing them over a nearly 6-foot fence while running from deputies has avoided jail time after entering a no contest plea in Lee County.
Larry Rada Jr. pleaded nolo contendere to charges including child abuse, racing on a roadway, fleeing to elude law enforcement at high speed or with wanton disregard, and driving while his license was suspended or revoked, according to court records. He was sentenced to one year of community control followed by four years of probation.
The case stems from a September incident near Fort Myers Beach when a Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported seeing a black Infiniti with Michigan plates “driving recklessly,” according to a probable cause statement. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle “did a complete 360 around his patrol vehicle” and fled the area.
Crash and attempted escape
The deputy did not pursue but was later flagged down by other drivers who reported the car had crashed into a ditch near San Carlos Boulevard and Linda Loma Drive. Witnesses told deputies that Rada fled the vehicle with three children.
Surveillance footage later reviewed by investigators showed Rada “cutting across his backyard with all three victims, approaching a locked gate, and proceeding to toss all three victims over the fence,” which measured 5.92 feet high, according to the report. Authorities wrote the children were “hurl[ed]” over “in a manner with blatant disregard for the children’s safety.”
The probable cause statement noted the children “appeared to be in distress and crying” as they approached the fence. One child later “began to vomit profusely,” while all three complained of pain in different parts of their bodies.
Medical evaluation and arrest
After throwing the children over the fence, Rada climbed over himself, fell, and ran from the area. The children were later found “covered in dirt stains,” authorities said. They were taken to a hospital where a doctor reported “all three victims had presented to the emergency room with pain in their head and abdomen and reported being involved in a traffic crash in which Rada was driving.”
Rada was later arrested at his home. Investigators said he had picked the children up from school the day before and was expected to care for them for several days. A family member told authorities she last spoke with him around 6:30 p.m. and he said the children “were doing well.”
During questioning, officials said, “Throughout the interview, Rada maintained that he knew what he did was wrong but was scared to return to prison,” according to the court document.
Rada was originally charged with multiple counts, including cruelty toward a child, child neglect, and hit-and-run, before reaching the plea agreement reflected in court records.
