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Man Charged In Cyclist's Death Jailed

Charges Upped For Carlos Bertonatti

POSTED: Monday, February 8, 2010
UPDATED: 5:23 am EST February 9,2010

A man who was arrested last month after a crash in Key Biscayne that killed a bicyclist is back in jail.

Carlos Bertonatti, 28, was charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and other charges in the Jan. 17 incident.

Watch: Video

Police said Bertonatti was driving a silver Volkswagen on the Rickenbacker Causeway at about 8 a.m. when his vehicle hit and killed 44-year-old Christopher Lecanne, who was riding his bicycle. According to investigators, Bertonatti sped off toward his Key Biscayne condo with the crumpled bicycle stuck to the front of his car.

Prosecutors said Bertonatti's blood alcohol content was 0.122 percent, significantly over the legal limit.

Bertonatti was released from jail on $100,000 bond last month. At a court hearing Monday, Bertonatti, who faces increased charges including failing to render aid, had his bond revoked.

The state also raised questions about Bertonatti's passport. Bertonatti surrendered his Venezuelan passport as ordered, but prosecutors found evidence that he had also used an Argentine passport in his travels, which was not turned in.

"This person and his family have been lying to the courts in one form or another, or to the authorities in one form or another, for too long. We cannot take a risk with this guy," said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle.

The judge said Bertonatti, an aspiring pop star, is a flight risk and a danger to the community because of a lengthy driving record. Bertonatti has about 40 past incidents on his driving record starting at age 16, for alleged violation of laws regarding speed limits, red lights, stop signs and tolls, and he even had a suspended license at one point, Local 10's Glenna Milberg reported.

The hearing Monday drew members of the biking community.

"He should never have gotten in the car because he was drunk. Obviously, he was drunk. I'm here because I'm a cyclist and I'm here because I lost my sister 21 years ago to a drunk driver," said witness Yamile Castella.

Bertonatti's family did not speak to the media.

A trial is set for May, and unless something changes, Bertonatti will remain in jail until then.

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