Around noon on Thursday, November 3, 2016, Heartland Crime Stoppers received an anonymous tip about the suspect truck that might be involved in the hit-and-run crash that occurred around 12:40 a.m. on Saturday, October 29th, in the grass median off of westbound SR 60 in Lake Wales between Tiger Lake and Sam Keen Roads.
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit responded to Mar Lisa Cove Road, off of Camp Mack Road, and saw a blue Ford F-150 heading down the road, leaving the residential area. They performed a traffic stop on the truck, and began talking to the driver, who was positively identified as the hit-and-run suspect: 71-year-old Charles “Charlie” Lewis of 2853 Mar Lisa Cove Road, Lake Wales.
Charlie made a full confession. He told deputies he was at a party on Friday night, October 28th, in Indian Lake Estates, where he consumed beers and then drove home. He told them he knew he hit something but didn’t know what he hit. He expressed remorse at killing Jessica Enchautegui-Otero and injuring Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell.
“Never underestimate the power of the community. Thanks to an anonymous tip, we were able to solve this case, and help bring some closure to these two families whose lives were forever changed by the reckless actions of Charlie Lewis.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
He will have a first appearance hearing at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2016.
He is being charged with one count Leaving the Scene of a Traffic Crash Causing Serious Bodily Injury, and Leaving the Scene of a Traffic Crash Causing Death, both first degree felonies.
The investigation is ongoing. If impairment can be proven, further charges will be added.
