Fleeing Suspects Captured By Police In Crash On Cypress Gardens Blvd & Hwy 27

Staff Reporter

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November 20, 2018

Fleeing Suspects Captured By Police In Crash On Cypress Gardens Blvd & Hwy 27

Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release

On Tuesday, November 20, 2018, Winter Haven P.D. officers and Polk County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended 17-year-old Kyra Ploof of Apoka, and 21-year-old Jamal White of Orlando, just minutes after they committed strong-armed robbery and attempted theft at one Walmart in the city, a retail theft and battery at another Walmart in the city, and then attempted to flee.

“Two violent shoplifters were arrested Tuesday and they face a cornucopia of charges from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Winter Haven Police Department. Their families don’t need to bother saving a place for them at the dinner table for Thanksgiving. – Grady Judd, Sheriff

According to their affidavits, just before 3:00 p.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a call for service at the Walmart located at 7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd (CGB), near U.S. 27, in reference to two suspects who were caught shoplifting by Walmart loss prevention.

As witnessed by Walmart personnel, White and Ploof attempted to remove hoverboards, but were thwarted by the anti-theft devices. They then went to the electronics section, and took four streaming video devices, and headed over to the sporting goods section for a backpack, which they used to conceal the stolen goods. They headed towards the garden center to exit the store when they were confronted by loss prevention personnel and four managers. While Ploof ran out to the parking lot, White shoved one manager in the chest, and struck another one. He then approached them in a fighting stance with his fists up. Meanwhile Ploof brought the car around – a grey Nissan Altima. She yelled to White, who ran to the car and got in, and they both fled.

A PCSO deputy sheriff on patrol was the first to spot the suspect vehicle leaving the parking lot and heading east on Cypress Gardens Blvd towards U.S. 27. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The suspect vehicle then caused a traffic crash on U.S. 27 in the intersection, striking two other vehicles. Fortunately no one was injured.

After striking two vehicles, the suspects continued to flee, making a U-turn on 27 and heading back westbound on CGB, and purposely hitting the deputy’s patrol car. The deputy turned around and followed, then executed a P.I.T. (precision immobilization technique) maneuver, effectively stopping the car. Both suspects were taken into custody without further incident.

During the subsequent investigation, WHPD and PCSO learned both suspects had previously gone into the other Walmart in the city (located at 355 CGB) earlier, and attempted to steal two Razor electric scooters, and two hoverboards (total value $872.00). When confronted by a loss prevention representative there, White threatened to “beat his a**” before he and Ploof fled.

White has been charged by Winter Haven P.D. with:

Robbery (F-2)
Conspiracy to commit robbery (F-3)
Grand theft (F-3)
Conspiracy to commit grand theft (F-3)
2 counts battery (M-1)
Resisting retail merchant (M-1)
2 counts Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M-1)

He’s currently in the Polk County Jail, with no bond for the robbery charge and various bond amounts for the other charges. White’s criminal history includes five previous felonies and 12 previous misdemeanors, including arrests for grand theft of a motor vehicle, battery, DUI, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, aggravated fleeing, resisting arrest, no valid DL, DWLSR, and failure to appear.

Ploof is being charged by both agencies with:

Aggravated battery on a LEO (F-1) (PCSO charge)
Aggravated fleeing to elude (F-2) (PCSO charge)
Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (PCSO citation)
Accessory after the fact (F-3) (WHPD charge)
Conspiracy to commit robbery (F-3) (WHPD charge)
Petit theft (M-2) (WHPD charge)

She was booked in at the Juvenile Assessment Center, and is now being housed in the juvenile dorm at the Polk County Jail. She has a juvenile criminal history in other counties.

The investigation is ongoing by both agencies into other crimes White and Ploof may have committed, and more charges are pending. Their relationship to each other is unknown.

Where To Play In The Snow In Polk County (& Florida)

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November 20, 2018

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Where To Play In The Snow In Polk County (& Florida)

by James Coulter

While the colder weather up north may let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, the warm weather down here leaves Floridians merely dreaming of a White Christmas. However, even though Florida may never truly be a Winter Wonderland, there are some places where it’s gonna snow down here in Dixie—and you don’t even need to reconcile the feud between Heat and Snow Miser! All you need to do is attend one of several events occurring this December throughout Polk County and several other places in Florida. Here are just a few upcoming events where you can play in the snow:

Now Snowing in Celebration

When: Nov. 24 – Dec. 31 @ 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Where: Town Center @ Celebration, FL

Info: http://www.celebration.fl.us/events/now-snowing-november-24-december-31/

Only in the town of Celebration can you go walking in a winter wonderland every evening during the holiday season. From Thanksgiving to New Years Eve, the town center experiences a nightly snowfall, which is perfect for much mistletoeing and hearts that are glowing when loved ones are near. Guests can also go skating on a synthetic ice rink, ride a holiday train, and listen to talented Christmas carolers.

Winter Wonderland at Bartow Ford

Where: Bartow Ford @ 2800 US-98, Bartow, FL 33830

When: Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 @ 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Info: https://www.bartowford.com/en/news/view/winter-wonderland-with-bartow-ford/51621

For the fourth year in a row, Bartow’s local Ford dealer will allow children of all ages to frolic and play the Eskimo way in a winter wonderland, featuring 60 tons of real snow. Children can sled down snow slides or play within the snow play area, while adults have a chance to win a new car through the annual F150 Holiday Extravaganza truck giveaway. Best of all? It’s all free family fun!

Glitter, Glisten & Snow

Where: Lake Eva Community Park @ 555 Ledwith Ave., Haines City, FL 33844

When: Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Info: https://hainescity.com/357/Glitter-Glisten-and-Snow

The children of Haines City better not shout, better not cry, and they better not pout. Why? Because Santa Claus is coming to town! Not only will he be lighting up the 31-foot Christmas tree at Lake Eva Park, but he’s bringing with him plenty of white snow to play and sled in. Of course, what snowy evening is complete without hot chocolate, sugar cookies, and chestnuts roasting on an open fire?

Davenport Winterfest

Where: Wilson Park @ 5 State Street, Davenport, FL 33836

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The City of Davenport kicks off the Christmas season every year with an annual nighttime holiday parade that concludes with Winterfest at Wilson Park, which will feature plenty of vendors, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and of course, plenty of snow from a snow machine. There’s no other place to go, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Downtown Lakeland Snowfest

Where: Munn Park @ 210 E Main St, Lakeland, FL 33801

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Info: https://www.mydavenport.org/index.asp?SEC=F8985BCF-71DD-4F29-9F5C-51DBFC361005&DE=60B3D433-11BC-4511-91B4-2F4F855126A1

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go in Downtown Lakeland, and that will certainly be the case during the 38th annual Snowfest. True to its name, there will be plenty of snow, especially with the towering Snow Mountain where children can slide down and play in. Afterward, be sure to enjoy the artesian craft fair, inflatables, and other activities.

Snow on 7th Parade

Where: 7th Ave @ Ybor City, Tampa, FL

When: Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 at 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Info: https://yborcityonline.com/events/ybor-city-snow-on-7th-holiday-parade/

Ybor City in Tampa may be known for its Cuban sandwiches and Cuban cigars, but for the past eight years, it’s also been known for snow during its annual Christmas parade and event, as provided by Ybor Collaborative. Watch as snow falls from the rooftops as marching bands and local krews pass by in a holly, jolly celebration.

ICE! featuring A Christmas Story

Where: Gaylord Palms @ 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746

When: November 16, 2018 – January 6, 2019

Info: https://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/mcogp-gaylord-palms-resort-and-convention-center/gaylord-christmas/csyr9pd/ice.mi

Floridians rarely need to bundle up in layers of warm clothes, but those visiting Gaylord Palms are advised to do just that if they decide to participate within the annual Ice! indoor event. This year has several life-sized ice sculptures and hand-carved scenes based on the holiday classic, “A Christmas Story”, along with five two-story ice slides. Afterward, guests can go tubing down giant snow slides, enjoy hot chocolate, or visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Winter Haven Snow Central

Where: Chain of Lakes Park @ 210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, FL 33880

When: Fri., Dec. 14 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Info: https://www.mywinterhaven.com/event/snow-central-18/

Once every December, the City of Winter Haven lives up to its name with more than 70 tons of real snow for children to play in with snowball fights and snowmen building, as well as snow sledding on snow slides. When not frolicking in the snow, guests can also bounce about in bounce houses, decorate their own holiday cookies, and take photo opportunities with Santa Claus himself.

Local Frostproof Resident Current Top Ranked Collegiate Bowler in the United States

Staff Reporter

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November 20, 2018

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Local Frostproof Resident Current Top Ranked Collegiate Bowler in the United States

By Allison Williams

Photos provided by Andrea Medico-Elkins

Nash Medico is a student at Webber International University and is a part of the men’s bowling team.

Medico grew up bowling. He tried various sports at a young age, but bowling was the one sport he did not become tired of, and he stuck with it.

“I was looking for something different that would challenge me both physically and mentally,” Medico said.

When he was young, Medico and his mother attended their local bowling alley in Kinston, North Carolina. This is where he first tried bowling. The owner of the bowling alley at that time introduced Medico to their children’s league, where children would bowl every Saturday morning.

“When I found out that I could go there and bowl every Saturday morning, I was excited and quickly became hooked,” Medico said.

Nearly 15 years later, Medico now bowls on the collegiate level and is breaking records and competing in many competitions.

“There have been so many competitions over the years,” Medico said. “I bowled in youth league competitions from 2003-2016 earning scholarship money for college.”

He has also participated in several adult tournaments since he was just 12 years old.

“I earned thousands of dollars that the tournament directors sent in to my SMART fund account through the USBC for college,” Medico said.

Medico shared other accomplishments he has received over the years:

Qualified twice for the USBC Junior Gold National competitions.
Became a S.C. State Champion with my team in 2014.
I have won Championship Titles in the TSR, Barnstormer’s, Carolina Classic, ABT and a few others since moving to Florida in 2016.
I have rolled several perfect 300 games, with one USBC Sanctioned 300 game that I rolled at Golden Lanes in Simpsonville, SC on 11/07/15.

His greatest accomplishment to date is making it on the Webber Warrior team at Webber International University.

“I compete on the prestigious Webber Men’s bowling team,” Medico said. “My coaches are Del Warren, Rick Wiltse and Ruben Ghiragossian. I consider this to be my greatest accomplishment because being a part of the Webber Warrior team has been a goal of mine for many years.”

Bowling athletes train just like players from others sports would.

“We practice daily,” Medico shared. “We have individual training, team training and mental fitness training. We watch our diet and work out with our trainers to target any weaknesses from front to back, top to bottom and side to side. We are dedicated to being the best that we can be.”

Medico is proud, yet respectful about all he has accomplished. “I show up with my team and always try my best to give 100%,” he said. “We are there to do a job and together we work to figure it out. Getting to this level is simply being dedicated, focusing on what you want, paying your dues and refusing to quit.”

Medico’s mother Andrea Medico-Elkins has watched her son first-hand grow into this exceptional bowler.

“I have never seen a young man so focused and driven, especially at such a young age,” she shared. “I knew when he was about 9 years old that we were in for a ride with him in this endeavor. I saw him researching everything he could to learn as much as possible about the game, the lanes and the equipment. When he began explaining to me things like oil patterns, the thickness of the oil, the approach, release, follow through, trajectory, topography, etc. I knew that he had found his niche. This sport required just the right combination of physical endurance and science to keep him hungry and thirsty.”

Cooking on the Ridge: Pumpkin Bread

Cooking On The Ridge

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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Cooking on the Ridge: Pumpkin Bread

2 cups white sugar

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1 cup walnut oil

1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree

4 eggs
4 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 cup cream sherry

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
Directions

Prep 20 m
Cook 1 h 5 m
Ready In 1 h 25 m

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease three 8×4 inch loaf pans.

In a large bowl, beat together white sugar, brown sugar and oil. Stir in the pumpkin. Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, coriander and salt. Stir dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture until smooth. Stir in cream sherry. Beat till thoroughly blended, 1 to 2 minutes. Fold in nuts. Spoon batter into 3 greased 8×4 inch loaf pans, filling no more than three quarters full.

Bake in preheated oven until a tester inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean, about 65 minutes.

Let stand 5 minutes in pans before turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. Can be kept at room temp. for 4 days or frozen.

Hundreds Of Toys Collected At Inagural Toys 4 Our Town

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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Hundreds Of Toys Collected At Inagural Toys 4 Our Town

by James Coulter

Winter Haven children who would have otherwise gone without Christmas presents can look forward to finding something underneath their Christmas tree this year thanks to the hundreds of toys that were collected during the inagural Toys 4 Our Town on Saturday.

Hosted at the Winter Haven Moose Lodge 1023, and organized by The Freedom Church in Lake Eloise and by local resident Melanie Brown, the toy drive allowed guests to enjoy live music, bounce houses, and barbecue in exchange for either an unwrapped toy or $10 for admission.

While the event experienced some competition from other events within the area that day, the turnout nevertheless more than exceeded expectations, as hundreds of toys were collected throughout the day from the very start of the event at 10 a.m. until the very end at 7 p.m., with an after party hosted at Old Man Franks afterwards, explained Brown.

“We are doing well because we received a lot of toys, and that was my main goal,” she said. “It all came together. I don’t see any problems.”

Brown wanted to host the event as a way to collect toys for local children, as most other toy drives usually have people donating toys without knowing exactly where their donations will end up.

“Sometimes you give toys to an organization and they give them to places where you don’t know where they are going,” she said. “I wanted to make sure the kids in our own town was going to be getting toys and that we knew where those toys were going.”

Brown has vast experience volunteering at and organizing many charity events within the past, and currently sits on various committees for such events.

She teamed up with the Moose Lodge, which allowed her the space to host the event, as well as provided the food, beverages, and indoor activities within the lodge such as cornhole.

Rob Hanrahan, an administrator at the Moose Lodge, who had been working with the organization for 16 years, was quite impressed by the turnout for this inagural toy drive, and expects future events to become bigger and better.

“I am overwhelmed with the number of toys we collected for the community, and it has been a success,” he said. “Hope we can do it next year, grow it, and make it bigger.”

The donations were collected by The Freedom Church in Lake Eloise, which plans on delivering and distributing the toys to local children on Christmas Day.

Bobby Williams, Pastor of The Freedom Church, agreed to participate within the event, as he believed in its goal of collecting local toys for local children, and which this inagural event more than exceeded his initial expectations.

“We all worked together [with] the ministry and the people coming together [and] working together for the good of the community,” he said. “So hopefully when they see the results on Christmas days, all the families and children will be blessed, [and] this will all build on that.”

Guests who presented their unwrapped toy or $10 donation were then provided admission to the other activities occurring that day. This included live music as provided by local bands such as Troy Thompson Band, Southern Blend, and Hype Entertainment.

Children attending the event had the opportunity to participate in various fun activities such as bounce houses, face painting, and live music and entertainment as provided by Too Infinity.

Keith Jr., who oversees Too Infinity, has been involved with many other events hosted by Brown. Whether there are 50 children or 250 presents at these events, he always ensures that they have a fun time.

“Being one of those less fortunate kids growing up, it helps to do something like this,” he said. “I wanted to help out and give back because I have been in that situation, so I wanted to give my helping hand.”

Over the years, Brown has been supported by various individuals and organizations that have allowed her fundraising events to be put on flawlessly.

Most prominent have been folks like John Straughn, who organizes the annual Rockin on the River event, and Carl Fish, publisher of The Daily Ridge, who helps promote such events.

Additional help has been provided by close personal friends such as Adrienne Richards and Travis Williams, both of whom have been more than willing to help her as much as she herself wants to help the local community.

“Melanie does so much for the community,” Williams said. “She is always there when people are in need. She does a great job organizing and bringing things together. So anytime we can be a part of the event and help out the community, we are there.”

More Than $3,000 Raised At Patron Saint of the Arts Fundraiser

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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More Than $3,000 Raised At Patron Saint of the Arts Fundraiser

by James Coulter

They say an elephant never forgets, and local artist Ron Malone will never forget his painting of an elephant, as it was one of his very first art pieces.

His watercolor painting of an elephant, which he painted using several photographs as a reference, was created three years ago when he first started painting. That painting earned him third place at the Lakeland Art Show.

Having experimented in his art for the past three years, what inspires his artwork the most is being able to see other people respond to it.

“I think what inspires me the most is getting a reaction from someone when they see something they like, and it causes a reaction from them,” he said.

Malone’s watercolor painting was one of several hundred pieces offered during an art raffle at the Ridge Art Association on Thursday evening.

At least 165 pieces were raffled off during the fundraiser, which managed to raise $3,000 overall, though more paintings were still being sold over the weekend, explained Christy Hemenway, Executive Director of the Ridge Art Association.

Most of the pieces were donated by local artists and their families, while others were those that had been collected by the art association over the years, she said.

As the Chain of Lakes Complex, where their main art gallery is located, is currently receiving renovations, Hemenway decided that now would be the best time to clean their closet of old art pieces and raise money for the association.

“With the addition of the building and things that are changing around here, there is a lot of closet space that we needed to open up,” she said.

Before and during the event, guests donated $100 each to enter themselves into the art raffle. If called upon during the drawing, they then had the opportunity to obtain an art piece of their choice.

Many participants had donated by proxy that evening, as they donated their money beforehand and chose several paintings from the gallery that they would want to receive.

Though the turnout that evening was light, mostly likely due to other local events such as Wine, Chocolate, and Cheese being hosted that evening within the area, the overall event proved quite successful in their endeavors.

“It could always be better,” she said. “It is about having a fun event for our members. We want to give them the opportunity for them to own a piece of artwork that they would otherwise not be able to afford to purchase outright, so that is a good option for them.”

One such member, Bob Doyel, a politician who had previously run for Florida Senate district 22, participated that evening to help show his support for local artists within the community.

“I think it is a good way to showcase the talent that we have here that would not be showcase otherwise,” he said. “We have a lot of people who are capable artists in a lot of way, and this is a way to draw attention to these great artists.”

Bok Academy Student Presents $2,000 To Local Leukemia Survivor And The Leukemia Society

Lake Wales

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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Bok Academy Student Presents $2,000 To Local Leukemia Survivor And The Leukemia Society

by James Coulter

Using funds raised by one of its middle school students, Bok Academy in Lake Wales presented checks for $1,000 each to a local survivor of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to a non-profit cancer advocacy organization on Friday.

Autumn Taylor, 12, had raised more than $2,000 by selling wristbands through a fundraiser she had organized for a community service project for her class, led by her teacher, Kari Richards.

During a school morning meeting on Friday, Taylor donated the money she had raised by presenting two checks, each worth $1,000, to the recipients of her fundraiser.

The first, and most important, recipient was Daylin Jordan, a 12-year-old local boy who had been diagnosed with AML leukemia earlier this year, and who had survived thanks to a bone marrow transplant provided by his mother.

The second recipient was Carin Nagy, Campaign Manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a national non-profit organization dedicated to searching for a cure for blood cancer such as leukemia and supporting patients and their parents.

Nagy, in turn, presented Amanda with a community service award, and honored Daylin with a plaque commemorating him and his story as an honored hero.

Despite Daylin being diagnosed with an especially repressive form of leukemia, and despite his chances of recovery being slim, his victory over cancer proved to be an especially inspiring tale, Nagy remarked.

“It is a really remarkable story,” she said. “So to hear his story about where he was in August, and just being given a ten percent chance of surviving, and then having his chance matched with his mom being his donor was amazing. It is a great story and I am excited to meet him.”

As someone who regularly visits schools to inspire students to participate within her organizations fundraiser, Pennies for Patients, Nagy was also inspired to hear about Taylor’s initiative to help out a local cancer patient and survivor.

“So it was going the other way around [for my job], which is wonderful,” she said.

Daylin had been diagnosed with AML leukemia in May, requiring him to receive three rounds of chemotherapy treatment, as well as other treatments which required his hospitalization.

As he required a bone marrow transplant, a search for a local bone marrow donor was hosted, but no matching donor could be found. His mother, Candice, inevitably volunteered to serve as his donor.

Upon receiving his transplant, Daylin has since experienced a remission in his cancer, and he was recently released from the Ronald McDonald House in Orlando.

His various treatments, especially his transplant, has left his family with overwhelming medical expenses. This inspired Taylor to run a fundraiser for his benefit as her class community service project.

Taylor and her family purchased wristbands and visited several local schools to sell them. The response she had received from students and staff in support of her fundraiser was nothing short of amazing, as she raised more than $2,000.

Damien Moses, Principal at Bok Academy, commended her for her tenacity and efforts in supporting her local community, as it greatly reflected their own school’s spirit.

“We are truly proud of her,” he said. “Every once in a while, you need examples, not just for the students, but for all of us…that it only takes one [person]…to help each other.”

Unfortunately, while the generous donation will most certainly help Daylin’s family with their medical expenses, they currently require assistance finding a new place to live, as they will be moving out of their old apartment.

Nevertheless, they appreciate the efforts provided to them through their local community, especially by a young student such as Taylor.

“It is amazing how Autumn put all of this together and Daylin doesn’t even know the school, he doesn’t even go here, and Autumn put it together for him,” Candice said. “It was amazing, and I am so grateful for her and her mother and her daddy.”

Anyone interested in providing donations or other assistance to Daylin and his family are free to contact Spook Hill Elementary School.

Winter Haven Fire Department Is Taking a Big Step in The Protection of Firefighters

Winter Haven

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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The Winter Haven Fire Department is taking a big step in the protection of firefighters regarding chemical contamination that is critical in reducing the potential risk of cancer.

A 2015 study by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) indicated that Firefighters have 9% higher risk factor for cancer diagnosis and 14% higher risk of dying from cancer, compared to the general population.

Post Fire Decontamination Kits have been obtained from the University of Miami through a grant that will play an integral role in preventing the cancer risk that firefighters face. Numerous studies have shown that the cross-transfer of organic compounds from fighting a fire is elevated even though the surfaces of the skin are mostly covered.

The neck and hands are most prone to the exposure of contaminates, but consider this; firefighters have the gear they wear and take off after the event. The exposure to toxic contaminates continues if decontamination is not addressed while on scene. Otherwise, residue is transferred into the truck ultimately leading to the station and finally into the home.

“The gear of our firefighters is decontaminated to ensure toxic substances do not accumulate”, said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Ensuring firefighters’ health and safety on scene through these decontamination kits for the individual is vital and we are excited to have received the kits.”

(Photo: Wesley, the Winter Haven Fire Station pup is proud to have received the decontamination kits for his firefighters.)

UPDATE On Fatal Accident at Intersection of Martin Luther King Ave and George Jenkins Blvd Last Evening

Lakeland

Staff Reporter

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November 19, 2018

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UPDATE On Fatal Accident at Intersection of Martin Luther King Ave and George Jenkins Blvd Last Evening

LAKELAND, FL – On November 18, 2018 at approximately 6:09 P.M., the Lakeland Police Department responded to an accident with injuries in the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and George Jenkins Boulevard.

A 2007 Dodge Nitro was stopped in the left turn lane of northbound Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, for a red light, and a 2010 Hyundai Accent was traveling southbound on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in the inside lane of travel. The traffic light for both north and southbound lanes of travel changed from red to green. As the Hyundai entered the intersection, the Dodge began to turn left into the travel path of the Hyundai. Both vehicles impacted, rotated, separated, and came to final rest in the intersection.

The Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The operator of the Dodge was transported to the Lakeland Regional Health Center (LRH) with minor injuries. The operator of the Hyundai, David Menary, was transported to the Lakeland Regional Health Center with life threatening injuries, he later succumbed to his injuries at LRH at 6:38 P.M. as reported by hospital staff.

Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately 4.5 hours during the investigation. At this time speed nor impairment appear to have been contributing factors in this crash. The next-of- kin has been notified and the case is still open and under investigation.

The operator of the Dodge Nitro was identified as:

Ismael Gonzalez, 58 years old.

1430 Bramblewood Drive

Lakeland, Florida 33811

The operator of the Hyundai (deceased) was identified as:

David Menary, 63 years old.

2713 Doyle Circle

Lakeland, Florida 33801

This Accident Report sponosred by:

Auburndale Police Department Investigating Fatal Traffic Crash

Auburndale

Staff Reporter

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November 17, 2018

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Auburndale Police Department Investigating Fatal Traffic Crash

Auburndale Police Department Press Release

On Friday afternoon, November 16, 2018, at approximately 2:29 p.m., the Auburndale Police Department responded to the report of a traffic crash with injuries at the intersection of SR 559 and CR 557A in Auburndale, Florida.

Warren Wolff, 76, of 8953 Island View Drive, Polk City, Florida was driving a 2010 Chrysler van north of SR 559 when he made a left turn onto CR 557A into the path of a 2014 Kenworth semi-tractor trailer driven by Isidro Guadalupe Rodriguez Gutierrez, 38, of 1192NE Livingston Street, Arcadia, Florida. Warren Wolff was pronounced deceased at the scene and his passenger, Catherine Wolff, 71, of 8953 Island View Drive, Polk City, Florida was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with serious injuries.

The investigation is continuing at this time. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact the Traffic Crash Investigator, Detective Kevin O’Neal at 863-965-5555

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