A South Carolina truck driver was accused of driving under the influence after allegedly hitting a 14-month-old who wandered into the street, following his father.
David Ronald Metz, 62, was charged with a felony DUI after allegedly striking and killing Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia on Monday in Anderson around 8.20pm.
Tapia followed his father outside while his parents were cleaning El Latino Bar and Grill after closing, the Anderson County Coroner's Office told the Daily Mail.
The toddler's dad opened the door to take out the trash without realizing Tapia was following him.
The tot wandered through the parking lot and out onto South Murray Avenue, where Metz's truck was traveling southbound, police told the Daily Mail.
'If the driver would not have been under the influence, he may, could have reacted a little bit quicker and switched lanes,' a spokesperson for the Coroner's Office told WYFF.
'That one decision changed not only his life, but this family in this child's life, forever.'
The Anderson Police Department and the Anderson Fire Department found Tapia with critical injuries and transported him to AnMed Medical Center. It is unclear who called 911.
Christopher Rodrigo Perez Tapia died on Monday after being struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver
Anderson, South Carolina police charged David Ronald Metz with a felony DUI after the incident
Tapia's family was cleaning El Latino Bar and Grill after it closed when the boy wandered into the street
Tapia was declared dead at 9.10pm, less than an hour after he was tragically hit.
The child's cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was accidental.
According to Law & Crime, Metz allegedly kept driving after striking the boy before turning around and returning to be arrested at the scene.
Tapia was the son of Delfino Perez Huizache and Olivia Tapia Benitez, per his obituary. The couple described him as 'the light of their lives.'
'Though his time here was far too brief, the love he sparked will never fade,' read the death announcement.
'He remains the light of our lives, forever barefoot, forever loved, and forever playing in the sunshine.'
Tapia loved the outdoors, his pets Pooch and Warrior and having a good meal. He was described as 'a small boy with a zest for life.'
Metz was granted a $60,000 security bond at a hearing held Tuesday at the Anderson municipal courthouse. The suspect was telecast in from custody.
Detective McKindra Bibb told the court that Tapia's family is 'devastated' by his death, reported the Independent Mail.
'They are unable to even pull it together enough to come to court this afternoon,' she said. 'It's been less than 24 hours since their baby died.'
Metz allegedly continued driving after the boy was struck before turning around and returning to the scene
Metz was telecast in from custody during his bond hearing on Tuesday
The man's lawyer, Austin McDaniel, stated that Metz was a local business owner with no prior criminal record who had deep ties to the community.
McDaniel expressed sympathy toward the family during Tuesday's hearing.
'I can't imagine how the family feels as a parent,' McDaniel said per the Independent Mail.
Metz was ordered to have no contact with the victim's family or their restaurant. He must remain under GPS monitoring once he is released.
It is unclear if Metz entered a plea. His next court date is scheduled for June 11.
The Anderson Police Department is still investigating the crash with the help of the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The Daily Mail contacted McDaniel and Metz for comment.