The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a crash with injuries on SR 60 & 80 Ft Rd. multiple units have been assigned to the area.
The crash was called in at 4:44pm. It does not appear that serious injuries occurred, but some lanes are being affected.
This is an ongoing situation that should resolve shortly. We will up date as more information is released.
The Lake Wales Fire Rescue, Lake Wales Police Department and the Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of two parachuters or paragliders that have crashed landed in city limits.
One person landed near J.A.Wiltshire and Scenic Hwy and another landed near Seminole Ave and 1st St.
Two medical evacuation helicopters are in route for two trauma patients!
The incident occurred at 2:57 pm. This is an ongoing situation and citizens are asked to avoid the area!
Update Here: Three Skydivers Make Impromptu Landings On The Streets Of Lake Wales
No charges are anticipated following a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning of Monday, March 18, 2024 west of Lakeland.
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the crash that occurred at around 2:32 AM on New Tampa Highway (US 92) at Clark Road.
Miguel Jacinto, 56, from Lakeland, suffered significant injuries and died at the scene. He had been driving a gray 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.
PCSO Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Mr. Jacinto had been traveling north on Clark Road at a high rate of speed, and failed to stop at a red light. The Volkswagen slammed into the passenger side of a refrigerated trailer being pulled by a Freightliner semi-tractor that was traveling east on New Tampa Highway by a Tifton, Georgia man.
The front of the Volkswagen became wedged under the trailer, in front of the rear axles.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and the truck driver was not injured.
The eastbound lane of New Tampa Highway was closed for approximately five hours during the initial stage of the investigation.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a multiple vehicle crash which is blocking all Eastbound lanes of Interstate 4 at Hwy 27. According to Brian Bruchey, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer, the Westbound lanes are currently being such down temporary to land a medical evacuation helicopter.
The crash occurred at 12:06 pm and it involved a semi tractor trailer and up to 5 other vehicles. At this time we know one patient has been transferred for medical attention.
This is a developing story and we will update as soon as possible.
A single vehicle crash occurred Sunday night, March 17, 2024 in the Auburndale area, and resulted in the death of the driver.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and Polk County Fire Rescue members were dispatched to the crash at about 10:44 PM, to the crash at 4734 Berkley Road (County Road 655).
When first responders arrived, they determined that 35-year old James Stewart of Polk City was deceased. There were no other occupants of the vehicle.
Detectives from the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit determined that Stewart’s white 2010 Ford F150 had been traveling north on Berkley Road when it left the east side of the road, struck and severed a TECO utility pole at the base, and then came to a stop after impacting a large oak tree.
Stewart was wearing a seat belt.
The northbound lanes of Berkley Road were closed for approximately five hours, but the accident remains under investigation.
LAKELAND, FL (March 18, 2024) – On the afternoon of Friday, March 15, 2024, an arrest warrant was obtained for Bobby Curry Jr., charging him with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse in the death of a 23-month-old child, stemming from an incident that took place on March 5, 2024.
On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at 5:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Kansas Avenue for a report of an unresponsive child. Officers arrived to find 23-month-old Ezekiel Cotto-Saintfleur at the residence without a pulse. Officers performed CPR on Ezekiel until Lakeland Fire Department arrived to provide medical assistance. The adult present with Ezekiel at that time was Bobby Curry Jr. (age 20), boyfriend of Ezekiel’s mother. Ezekiel was transported first to Lakeland Regional Health, then to Tampa General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, Ezekiel succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased at Tampa General Hospital on March 8, 2024, at 5:03 p.m.
Detectives who responded to assume the investigation learned from Curry that an accident occurred sometime between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Curry said he gave Ezekiel a bath and while getting him out of the bath, the family’s puppy leaped onto Ezekiel causing Ezekiel to first hit the back of his head on the bathtub and then the floor mat. Curry said Ezekiel tensed up after the fall, but he was still breathing. Curry stated that he placed the victim in his bed so he could rest. He said at that time Ezekiel was slightly breathing. But Curry did not call 911.
Curry said he put Ezekiel on his bed to rest and when he returned around 3:13 p.m., Ezekiel was not breathing. Curry put Ezekiel back on the bathroom floor, gave him chest compressions and some air. Ezekiel then began taking breaths as if he was gasping. Curry still did not call 911. Curry messaged Ezekiel’s mother during that time, letting her know Ezekiel has severe physical difficulties.
Between 4:53 p.m. and 5:24 p.m. Curry and Ezekiel’s mother messaged each other further. Curry conveyed grim details to her about Ezekiel’s grave condition. At 5:24 p.m.Ezekiel’s mother told Curry to call 911 and that was when he finally did.
Detectives conferred with physicians at Lakeland Regional Health who advised Ezekiel was without oxygen for at least 45 minutes. The findings of physicians in the Child Protection Team at Tampa General Hospital indicated the injuries to Ezekiel were consistent with physical abuse. On March 11th, 2024, the Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined the cause of Ezekiel’s death was not consistent with Curry’s account of injuries sustained by an accidental fall but was blunt force trauma and manner of death was Homicide.
As mentioned previously, an arrest warrant was obtained for Curry, charging him with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse. Curry was apprehended on the warrant, Friday, March 15th, 2024, at 7:07 p.m.
Auburndale, Florida – The Polk County Fire Rescue is currently on scene of a single vehicle accident on Berkley Rd in Auburndale. The nearest cross street is Meadow Lane. This is an extremely bad crash with injuries. It appears it is a crash involving a white pickup truck Vs wooden power pole which is broken in half.
The call came in around 10:45pm and multiple units were dispatched. It also appears it is a single occupant in the vehicle.
It appears that this crash will block a portion of Berkley Rd. for several hours. We will update as more information is released.
Late Sunday afternoon (5:41pm) deputies were dispatched to a crash on Hwy 98 near Stokes Rd in Frostproof. According to Brian Bruchey, public information officer for Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash involved a pickup truck vs motorcycle.
The motorcyclist was transported by helicopter medical evacuation. Emergency responders set up a landing zone at the South County Jail.
This is a developing story! More information to come as it is available.
A Davenport woman employed by the Bayskids organization (that contracts with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice) was arrested by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Friday morning, March 15, 2024, following a domestic violence incident.
41-year old Ieshia Saunders was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with Simple Battery (M1). Ms. Saunders serves as a Lead Community Supervision Specialist for Bayskids.
Deputies arrested Ms. Saunders after responding to her residence for a family disturbance, and determined she had battered an adult family member.
“It’s troubling when someone in her position, who works with children, is accused of battery on her own family member. Professionals who work with children have a responsibility to maintain a high standard of behavior.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.
LAKELAND, FL (March 14, 2024) – Over the last few days Lakeland Police Department detectives have been able to determine there were three persons in the suspect vehicle (Dodge Challenger). Kevarius Green (age 30) of Lakeland was identified as the suspect firing a rifle during the incident and responsible for the deaths of Jaquez Norton and Kemarius Wilson. Also identified in connection with this incident was Demarius Wilson (age 22), who is the brother of deceased suspect Kemarius Wilson. Demarius Wilson was identified as being in the Challenger before and after the homicide, and the person responsible for attempting to hide the Challenger.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Kevarius Green for two counts of First Degree Murder, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and Attempted 1st Degree Murder.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Demarius Wilson for Tampering With Evidence.
We are seeking the public’s help in locating these two individuals. They are considered armed and dangerous and have ties to the Lakeland, Plant City and Orlando areas. If anyone knows there whereabouts, please contact the appropriate law enforcement agency for that jurisdiction or the Lakeland Police Department at 863-834-6900.
Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Call 1-888-400 TIPS (8477)
* From a cell phone, dial **TIPS
* Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
* Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.
Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward of $5,000 if their information leads to an arrest.
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