Golden Gate man arrested in head-on I-75 crash that killed 1 in September

A 23-year-old Golden Gate man was arrested on Thursday for a fatal head-on collision that occurred on I-75 in September of last year.

Baldemar Ignacio Tiburcio told a paramedic on scene that he just wanted to get “messed up tonight” after being pulled from his pickup, according to the arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers also found a can of Four Loko in the vehicle.

A medical blood draw of Ignacio Tiburcio had a blood alcohol content level of .223, but by the time troopers examined another blood draw, the blood alcohol level was .161, according to the report.

The crash happened at 2:45 a.m. on Sept. 5, 2021 near mile marker 106, just before the Pine Ridge Road exit.

Ignacio Tiburcio is accused of traveling north in the southbound lanes when he collided with another pickup. The driver in that crash sustained minor injuries, but a passenger who was unrestrained, Jose Enrique Caboverde Diaz, 24, died.

The driver told authorities she did not have the time to react at the point that she realized a car was driving straight at her, with its headlights off.

A third vehicle was involved, but a driver and passenger did not sustain any injuries.

Ignacio Tiburcio sustained major injuries and was intubated after the crash, the report states.

A warrant for his arrest was issued in February. He faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI serious bodily injury, vehicular homicide, DUI damage to person or property and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury.

A judge ordered Ignacio Tiburcio to be held on a $252,000 bond.

If he is released he has to wear an alcohol monitoring device and surrender his passport.

He remains in custody at Collier County Jail.