Spring Hill Woman Arrested on Aggravated Assault, Hit-and-Run Charges

Karah Jean Castillo, 28, was booked Feb. 25 on charges listed in Hernando County jail records as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run, and released the same day on a $6,000 bond, records show. The booking follows an alleged Feb. 7 incident at a Spring Hill residence where deputies say Castillo tried to run over the party host.

The victim identified in the arrest affidavit is Alyssa Nicole O’Connor, who told deputies she was sitting on her front porch during a small party when Castillo became intoxicated and increasingly aggressive toward other guests. Deputies allege Castillo left the home, got into a silver Lincoln MKX SUV and “sped toward the victim,” narrowly missing the house before driving across the yard and leaving the scene.

Investigators who examined the Lincoln MKX found significant front-end damage, including a large dent in the front bumper and paint transfer on the vehicle that matched the victim’s yard lamp, court summaries show. The driver’s side mirror was smashed and broken, which investigators said is consistent with the vehicle sideswiping a tree and tearing through the yard.

The arrest affidavit records that deputies later contacted Castillo by phone; when asked why she allegedly tried to run over her friend Castillo replied, “Wouldn't you like to know, good luck trying to find me.” That same evening deputies located Castillo’s SUV parked outside her Spring Hill residence with the engine running and a wallet containing her Florida driver’s license visible on the driver’s seat, the affidavit states.

A warrant for Castillo’s arrest was issued Feb. 24, and jail records list her booking on Feb. 25. Those records show the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run entries and the $6,000 bond and release on Feb. 25. A separate account of the case used different legal language for the offense and listed a $10,000 bond; Hernando County jail records cited in this report show the $6,000 bond and same-day release.

The alleged use of a vehicle as a weapon and the forensic detail linking paint on the Lincoln MKX to O’Connor’s yard lamp are central to the county’s account of the incident. Criminal charging documents and court dockets will ultimately clarify the formal counts filed in Hernando County court and any upcoming hearing dates related to the Feb. 7 incident.