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Police: Man Confesses To Hit-and-run Death

December 20, 2005

A Villages resident was arrested Wednesday after police say he confessed to the hit-and-run death of a man who was walking along U.S Highway 27/441 last week, then failed to stop and help victim, claiming he was 'too scared.'

Lady Lake Police Chief Ed Nathanson said that they have arrested Charles W. Smit, 42, of 677 Greensboro Avenue, on charges of leaving the scene of an accident with death, tampering with evidence and falsifying a police report.

According to the police report, Smit was arrested in connection with the death of Arnaldo Torrent, Jr., 23, of Lady Lake, who was struck and killed by a vehicle about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, while he and another person were walking along U.S Highway 27/441 just north of Edwards Road.

Mr. Smit had been telling everybody including his wife that his car was damaged by a deer on County Road 466. Nobody believed his story.

Police got search warrant for his car and found a lot of incriminating evidences. Mr. Smit ultimately confessed to the crime.

Mr. Smit was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death, tampering with evidence and falsifying a police report.

He was being held without bail Wednesday night in Lake County Jail.