The following story was first published on Lake Legal News July 30, 2020.
EUSTIS, Florida — A woman who drove down the street with a man on the hood of her SUV was charged with aggravated domestic battery Saturday.
Just before 6 p.m. Saturday, a Eustis Police officer met with the victim at the police department and he said his child’s mother, Ernesta Presy, dropped their child off at the last minute at his home on West Pendleton Avenue without notice. The victim confronted Presy and documented the conversation on his cell phone, according to an arrest affidavit.
Presy allegedly pushed the victim lightly in the chest after being repeatedly told not to touch him. Presy then gave the child to the victim’s father and entered her vehicle. The victim stepped in front of the vehicle and Presy allegedly accelerated, hitting the victim in the knees and knocking him on to the hood.
The victim dropped his phone so he could hold on with both hands; and later told police Presy refused to stop and kept swerving, as if she was trying to knock him into traffic or hit a utility pole. Presy had to stop for a traffic light at Orange Avenue and Bay Street and the victim was able to get off, according to the affidavit.
Video from the victim’s phone showed Presy and the victim arguing and her blue SUV striking him. A witness also told police she saw a blue SUV strike the victim and accelerate, according to the affidavit.
Around 9 p.m. EPD responded back to the residence on West Pendleton Ave in reference to Presy being there again. Presy told police she dropped off the child so she could go to work, and the victim confronted her, trying to provoke her. Presy, wearing the same clothing she is seen wearing in the video, told police the victim stepped in front of her SUV, but refused to go into detail as to why she hit him, the affidavit states.
Presy was transported to the Lake County Jail, where she was released on $25,000 bond.
