[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 05/13/21]
LEESBURG, Florida — A woman who was described as being on a three-day “bender” is accused of hitting a woman with her vehicle following an argument in Leesburg Saturday.
Darnette Raeshon Silas, 51, is accused of going to a residence at 2217 Simmons Avenue looking for a woman before 8 p.m. Saturday. An argument ensued between the two women and family members threw Silas her keys and a drink out the door in an attempt to get her to leave, according to an arrest affidavit.
Silas entered a 2013 Dodge Journey and backed out of a parking space, striking the victim, injuring her neck and back. When Leesburg Police arrived, the victim was lying on the ground, surrounded by several family members. Numerous witnesses, including three children, gave LPD similar statements about the incident and Silas was located driving the Dodge and taken into custody.
Silas, of Tavares, was taken to Leesburg Police Department and told an officer she understood her rights and did not wish to speak. She then inquired about her charges, one of which was aggravated battery, and she said she disagreed with the charge because she was the victim. She told police she was “mobbed” and had to leave because she was in fear for her life. Police asked if she wanted to file a report and she stated she “already said too much.”
Silas went on to say she was not driving and had just “woke up” and the arresting officer could smell alcohol on her breath and noted her bloodshot, watery eyes. Several open beer cans were found in her vehicle. She participated in field sobriety exercises, but refused a breath test, according to the affidavit.
While completing the booking process, Silas’ husband called LPD to inquire about her bond and he told police Silas had recently lost a family member and had been on a “bender” for about three days. Silas was charged with aggravated battery and DUI. She was released from the Lake County Jail on $11,000 bond.
In February, Silas was arrested for battery on a woman in Tavares. That case is scheduled for a pre-trial conference later this month.
_______________________________
Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
