Traffic Crash Sends Two People to the Hospital and Shuts Down Part of

Northbound HWY 27 for Hours

     On June 26, 2017 at 8:52am officers from the Lake Wales Police Department were dispatched to a traffic crash which occurred on HWY 27 between Central Ave and Washington Ave in the northbound lanes. Upon arrival officers discovered a passenger car and a semi were involved in the crash. The crash blocked all 3 lanes of northbound HWY 27. Medical personnel responded to the scene to treat and transport the injured.

During the investigation officers learned Robert Chase, a 73 year old Panama City, FL resident, was traveling northbound in the outside lane. He was driving a 2012 International Maxforce semi pulling a tanker trailer. Eren Adriansen, a 25 year old Hallandale, FL resident, was driving a 2013 Tesla Model S northbound in the outside lane behind the semi. His passenger was Ruya Aki, a 25 year old Hallandale, FL resident. Adriansen was overtaking Chase by moving to the middle lane and he stated at the same time he was changing lanes another vehicle was changing lanes from the inside lane to middle lane. Adriansen veered to the right to avoid a side impact with the other vehicle which was changing lanes and he collided into the tanker trailer and his vehicle became pinned under the trailer. The impact caused the trailer and semi to begin a rotation before it came to rest blocking all 3 lanes of HWY 27 northbound.

Emergency responders had to remove Adriansen from the vehicle. Adriansen was airlifted from the scene to the Lakeland Regional Hospital where he is in stable condition. Aki sustained minor injuries and she was transported to the Lake Wales Medical Center. After being treated she was released from the hospital. Chase was not injured during the crash.

Due to the vehicles blocking all northbound lanes of HWY 27 traffic was diverted. The northbound lanes of HWY 27 between Central Ave and Washington Ave were closed for approximately 3 hours while the investigation took place and the vehicles were removed. At this point in the investigation no citations have been issued. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to contact Officer David Hernandez at (863) 678-4223.

On June 25, 2017, LWPD reponded to a home on Lakeshore Blvd, with regards to a naked male attempting to get into the attached garage.

According to the affidavit: The suspect Matthew Gamwell was located on the east side of the home.  He attempted to conceal himself behind two garbage cans.    He was instructed to come out away from the cans and complied.

Mr. Gamwell stated he was out the night before and woke up here without his clothes. Post Miranda, Gamwell stated he had no idea how he got to this location.  He stated he opened the side door to the garage to look for clothes and only took a few steps in when the alarm sounded, he exited the garage.

The owner of the home says he awoke when the alarm sounded.  The owner went to the porch area to see what was going on, when he observed a naked male with genitals exposed standing to the east corner of the house.  Both homeowners report that the suspect went back in the garage after the alarm was triggered.

Gamwell was placed under arrest for occupied trespass and indecent exposure to public. Gamwell was provided some cover to act as clothing and was transported to the Police Department for booking.

Gamwell was later transported to Polk County Jail without further incident.

LWPD PRESS RELEASE

FYI – LWPD is working a traffic crash with serious injuries on HWY 27. All three lanes of northbound 27 is closed between Central Ave and Washington Ave and traffic is being rerouted. 
One person involved in the crash had been airlifted from the scene and taken to a hospital for treatment.
The crash investigation is ongoing and the northbound traffic will be rerouted for a while. Details of the crash will be send out when they become available.