Jackie Mannie remembers visiting a local American Legion. One of her friends came to the bar. He was barely there for two minutes when he took a shot and fell over.
“Because we did not have an AED, he ended up dying by the time the ambulance came there,” she said.
Since then, not only has an automated external defibrillator (AED) been installed at her American Legion, but also one was recently installed at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2420 in Lake Wales.
“The fact we now have a defibrillator is great,” Mannie said. “It feels safer, absolutely, I am glad it is in both places [the VFW and American Legion].”
Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation, a local non-profit organization headed by Melanie Brown Culpepper, donated and installed their 32nd AED at the Lake Wales VFW on Wednesday evening.
Phil Lefstead, an engineer with Polk County Fire Rescue, had contacted Melanie about installing an AED at the VFW post. He had been contacted by its Commander, Joe Settle, six months ago about purchasing an AED for their facility.
Lefstead had seen Melanie donate AEDs to several local eateries, so he contacted her about donating an AED to the Lake Wales VFW.
“I think it is a great cause,” he said. “So, I contacted her and the rest is history. I think her organization is great. If she can supply communities with AEDs, it makes our jobs as firefighters a lot easier.”
Settle had been a commander at the VFW for 31 years and counting. Since his post could have never afforded such a necessary emergency device, especially considering the older age range of their organization, being able to receive one for free was nothing short of a gift.
“It is a great cause,” Settle said. “I wish we could have given her [Melanie] money [as a donation], but right now, we are tight. If she wants to host a fundraiser here, she is more than welcome to have one.”
Melanie started her organization three years ago following the untimely death of her late fiancée, Michael Culpepper. He had passed away from cardiac arrest, despite the best efforts of first responders to revive him.
Not wanting anyone else to suffer a similar fate, she started her organization to raise proceeds to donate AEDs across the county. Since then, she has donated more than 30 to local establishments like Caribbean Bay, Tanner’s Lakeside, and Old Man Franks.
Melanie will be visiting a hospital in Brandon for a special presentation on Tues. Feb 13. She will also be donating AEDs to the Ritz Theater and Barrel 239 in Winter Haven.
For more information, visit the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/honoringculpepper
Several dozen Jeep vehicles lined the streets of Orange Avenue last Thursday evening to deck themselves with festive purple, gold, and green for the Lake Wales Mardi Gras parade the next day.
Carey Coco, owner of Keep Moving Health, has been attending Lake Wales Mardi Gras with her family for the past three years. As someone from Louisiana, love for Mardi Gras comes naturally, he husband claimed.
Her family went all out with their Jeep vehicle decorated in Mardi Gras colors, masks on their dashboard, a giant purple and gold bow on their front bumper, and their kids wearing jester hats.
“It is a good parade with good family-friendly fun,” her husband said. “My expectations for this year’s parade is the same: to have a good time and look at the floats and let the good times roll.”
Mark Ward and his family, meanwhile, decided to decorate their vehicle after a galaxy far, far away. Their windshield displayed the quote, “This is the Way”, and featured a plushie of Grogu (Baby Yoda) from the hit Star Wars TV Show, “The Mandalorian.”
Ward personally knows the owner and wanted to help support her during her inaugural event. “It is so far so good with a good turnout,” he said.
Jessy G recently opened her photography studio at 251 E Park Ave in Downtown Lake Wales. She and her co-partner, the owner of Lake Wailes Point, wanted to drum up both support for her new business and excitement for the Lake Wales Mardi Gras. So, they decided to host the contest.
“We just wanted to have some fun,” Jessy said. “I just really wanted to make an impact and show some fun and stuff, and support our Jeepers that we have out here.”
Aside from the contest, the event that evening also included a handful of local vendors as well as musical entertainment provided by a local DJ. Overall, the small yet big turnout proved to be quite a good start to the Mardi Gras celebration, Jessy said.
“I am pretty excited about it,” she said. “I am so excited and stoked for Mardi Gras this year. Every year it is a good thing. We are just so happy to be excluded this year.”
To learn more about Jessy H Photography, visit their website at: https://www.jessygphotography.com/
What started as a funeral procession for a local restaurant owner and fan of New Orleans culture has, four decades later, transformed into one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations in Central Florida.
Lake Wales Mardi Gras celebrated its 40th anniversary last weekend. The event kicked off with a kick-party and 5K race on Friday evening and continued its festivities all day Saturday at Lake Wailes Park.
The celebration culminated with the big parade on Saturday at 3 PM. The parade started at Stuart Avenue, traversed through Downtown Lake Wales, and traveled along Central Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard for the big finale at Lake Wales Park.
Nearly 100 units including parade floats, decorated vehicles, and marching band participated in the event. Attendees dressed in festive purple, green, and gold and tossed beads to eager parade watchers lining the downtown streets.
Participating in the event were several Mardi Gras krewes including the Krewe of Aphrodite and Wham Bams, as well as many local organizations including the City Commission, Lake Wales News, and Duke Energy.
Even the Polk County Sheriff’s Office took time out of their busy schedule serving and protecting Polk County to ride in their own float with the Honorable Sheriff Grady Judd tossing beads to his cheering fans.
The main festivities were hosted at Lake Wailes Park with food trucks, vendors, fun and games, and live entertainment. Dozens of local bands like B. Haven, Spankin’ Sadie, and the Free Whiskey Band took to the stage to perform live music.
Lake Wales Mardi Gras started 40 years ago as the celebration of the life and legacy of the late Vinton Davis, a local restaurant owner who loved the culture of New Orleans.
Vinnie, as his family and friends called him, was quite the “eccentric” character, according to his daughter, Nancy Bernhardt Estes. As a young man, he ran away from home to join the circus and later ran away from the circus to work in the kitchens of New Orleans.
There, he learned to love the music, cooking, and overall culture of the lively city. He took that love and culinary experience to Lake Wales and opened his restaurant, Vinton’s New Orleans Restaurant.
When he passed away in 1984, his family wanted to honor his wishes and provide him with a jazzy New Orleans-style funeral procession. That idea would eventually turn into a small Mardi Gras parade that caught big attention, Estes explained.
Now, more than 40 years later, what started as a funeral procession has transformed into one of the biggest family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in Central Florida, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
“It has grown immensely,” Estes said. “The first time we did it…we had six weeks to get this thing together. About 200 people were watching our little, tiny, short parade. The Lakeland Ledger, at that time, had sent over a reporter. He said in the paper that it was the shortest parade he had ever seen, but it was the wildest and funniest he had ever seen. Word got out, and the next year, it was up to over a thousand people, and it grew and it grew. In its heyday…the crowds had reached about 30 thousand.”
Nancy Bernhardt Estes recently sat down with us to discuss her father’s life and how his legacy helped inspire Lake Wales’s longest-running Mardi Gras celebration.
Listen to our interview with her on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/chattinontheridge/episodes/Ep–21-Lake-Wales-Mardi-Gras-wNancy-Bernhardt-Estes-e2fd8c9
Bartow, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Tawnya White and Devin White and charged them with negligent child abuse. The interesting twist is the Tawnya White has worked for DCF (Department of Children and Families) for 13 Years.
Here is an excerpt of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit:
“On 02/09/2024, I was directed by Sgt. Brooks to respond to 8025 Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Rd, Alturas, FL in reference to possible child neglect related to environmental hazards.
On arrival, I was briefed by Deputy Sheriff Dully #9956, he advised he responded to 8025 Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road, Alturas, at the request of DCF; whom wished to conduct a joint response at the residence regarding health and safety concerns at the residence. D/S Dully advised the outside of the home contained overgrown grass and junk/ debris scattered about the property. The interior of the home was deplorable – to include moldy furniture, stagnant water, junk debris, and piles of dog feces. D/S Dully advised
TWO VICTIMS live at the residence, REDACTED w/m DOB: REDACTED (7 months) and REDACTED w/m DOB: REDACTED (7yoa). It was determined that 5 dogs are also kept at the residence, with 4 of the dogs being kept inside.
Tawnya White
I conducted an interview with Tawnya White in the front yard of the residence. Tawnya advised she has worked for the Department of Children and Families for approximately 13 years. Her husband, Devin White, was previously in a car wreck which limited his mobility and ability to help with cleaning, and she works a full time job. She advised she is trying to clean the house but due to not having help the deplorable conditions continued to progress. She advised VICTIM1 does not leave the master bedroom unless he is being carried outside.
Despite being 7 months old, it was learned the child has not started crawling and appears to possibly be delayed in his development due to being confined in a bassinet all day as the residence is not safe for him to be unconfined.
I conducted an interview with Devin White in the living room of the residence. He advised the conditions of the residence are his fault due to him not being able to get assistance with cleaning. He advised he does not want to ask for help but has difficulty cleaning the residence himself. He stated the children do not play in the residence and are confined to the master bedroom.
Tawnya White signed a consent form for photographs of the interior of the residence. Numerous photographs were taken to document the conditions of the residence. The interior of the residence was in disarray with trash and other items scattered all over the floor, numerous pieces of dog feces was observed in various stages of decomposition, multiple knives were observed laying on the floor, and the smell of dog urine was pungent throughout the residence. Several areas of exposed plywood flooring was observed with visible stains from new and old animal urine and feces. The kitchen counters, to include the sink and stove were cluttered with items blocking those locations. No seating area or table was observed for food consumption, no area for food preparation was observed, and the stove was covered hindering the ability to cook food.
Polk County Fire Rescue responded and conducted an air quality test of the residence. The test resulted with the Ammonia levels to be 20 parts per million.
PCFR advised that OSHA standards for a working environment allow for 25ppm over an 8 hour work day. The VICTIMS were being subjected to a minimum of 20ppm over 24 hour periods. It should also be noted, that the test was conducted in the living room with the front door open. The front door had been open for approximately one hour prior to the test being conducted, allowing fresh air into the residence during that time.
DCE Supervisor Maldonado confirmed Tawnya’s employment status with DCF. I also learned that DCF has been attempting to view the interior of the residence since 1/21/24 after receiving an initial intake report about the conditions in the house.
Tawnya and Devin have been uncooperative with allowing anyone inside the residence, therefore on today’s date DCF obtained a court order to access the inside of the residence. This fact shows that the suspects have also have had 19 days to clean the residence since first contact with DCF and yet the condition of the residence remains unhealthy and unsafe for THE VICTIMS. DCF later advised that Tawnya’s employment was terminated effective today based on the results of this investigation.
Based on this investigation, I established sufficient probable cause to show Tawnya White and Devin White both violated two counts of FSS 827.03(2)(d)Child Neglect, by failing to provide the care and supervision necessary to maintain the children’s physical and mental health. The conditions inside the house show a clear lack of proper food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, and supervision that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of the children.
Tawnya White and Devin White were arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center without incident.”
Polk County Deputies arrested Kiana Freeman (DOB: 8/22/1994) charging her with Grand theft of a purse. This isn’t Freeman’s first brush with the law. She currently was on probation for simple battery.
Excerpt of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit here:
“On February 4. 2024, I was dispatch to a call for service located at REDACTED. Haines City Police Department request Polk County Sheriff’s Office Deputy to respond in reference to a lost purse that was reported lost or stolen on 02/04/2024 from the Five and Below located at Posner Park 1221, Posner Blvd Davenport, Florida 33837. Reference Haines City case (#24472).
Upon arrival. I made contact with Officer Turner HCPD who in briet summary stated the following: the victim REDACTED who lives at REDACTED called Haines City Police to file a report of a lost purse. REDACTED was at the Five and Below in Posner Park at approximately 12:30pm when REDACTED left the store without purse. REDACTED stated REDACTED used register #2 where REDACTED had placed REDACTED purse down during transaction.
REDACTED returned to the store shortly after REDACTED noticed REDACTED’s purse missing and asked the clerk I they saw REDACTED’s purse. The store clerk advised no one had turned in a purse to store staff, and the service for the cameras were down at the time.
REDACTED described the purse as a white and brown Steve Madden. The following items were reported to be the contents of the purse: one pair of Air Pods worth approximately $250.00, three Pandora rings worth approximately $300.00, a green card iD valued at $600.00, purse worth $30.00, and a key fob worth $250.00. The total cost of the purse contents is approximately $1630.00.
I then made contact with the victim, who stated REDACTED received a notification on REDACTED’s connected Air Pods. The notification provided an updated location at approximately 1600 hours with an address of REDACTED. A second pin was received at 1632 hours at the same address. REDACTED stated REDACTED drove past the address where REDACTED’s Air Pods updated location was and observed a vehicle in the driveway of REDACTED.
The vehicle was a white 2012 Chevrolet 4 door bearing FL tag #17DPRA. REDACTED called 911, and Haines City Police Department (HCPD) responded to the scene. Haines City Police made contact with REDACTED. Officer Turner stated he made contact with the suspect.m and identified the suspect by her Florida driver’s license as Kiana Simone Freeman B/F (08/22/1994). Officer Turner stated Freeman told REDACTED “Here are the keys you can grab your purse from inside of the vehicle.” Officer Turner advised he observed the purse described as REDACTED through the driver window of the vehicle sitting in the center console. HCPD returned the property back to REDACTED.
I made contact with Freeman and provided her with Miranda warning, which she stated she understood her rights. During a brief interview with Freeman, she stated her child took the purse not her. I heard her child spontaneously stated, “That’s not true mom you took that purse.” Freeman then refused to give any further statements.
I made contact with REDACTED and conducted a recorded statement who stated the above information in summary.
I then made contact with the registered owner of the vehicle REDACTED who signed a consent to search the vehicle and conducted a sworn recorded statement. In brief summary, REDACTED stated she is the registered owner of the vehicle, but she does not own the vehicle, she registered it under her name as a favor for Freeman who is the only person who drives the vehicle.
Through investigative means, I also learned the vehicle was observed leaving Posner park at 1303 hours driving south on Highway 27.
contacted Crime Information Center analyst Claudia #8675. A FCIC/NCIC query was conducted on Freeman who is currently showing on probation for simple battery until 2/14/2024. Freeman also has two non-extraditable warrants for Simple Battery and shoplifting out of the State of Georgia. Freeman has one misdemeanor conviction out of Georgia in 09/07/2018 for theft of services.
Based on my investigation Kiana Freeman was placed under arrest for Grand theft and violation of probation.
Freeman was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center without incident.
Tire Collection Event at Eagle Ridge Mall planned for March 2, 2024.
Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. in partnership with Polk County Board of County Commissioners will be hosting a FREE Tire Collection and Recycling event from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.(noon) on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Eagle Ridge Mall, 451 Eagle Ridge Dr., Lake Wales (enter from Chalet Suzanne Rd.) Residents and agricultural land owners may dispose of up to 24 tires per vehicle. Standard vehicle sized tires only – No semi, tractor or off-road tires. Absolutely NO TIRE BUSINESSES, INDEPENDENT or COMMERCIAL TRUCKING COMPANIES or AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES of ANY kind will be permitted. Legal hauling limits will be strictly enforced.
Tire hauling services have been graciously donated by the Waste Management.
For additional information, contact Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. at (863) 875-8911 or email [email protected] .
This is an update to the information we sent out the morning after a traffic crash with a fatality in July 2023.
The at-fault driver, Robert Castillo, Jr., was arrested and charged with DUI Manslaughter (F2) after an extensive investigation and after he recovered from his injuries. He is currently in the Polk County Jail.
Excerpt of arrest affidavit:
“On 07/02/2023 at approximately 1430 hours, Robert Castillo Jr, was operating a 2005 Nissan 350 Z, black in color (bearing Florida tag 08BNZF with an assigned VIN # JN1AZ34D15M609853) southbound on US Hwy 27, in the area of George Street, with the unincorporated area of Frostproof, Polk County, FL.
Castillo was southbound on US Hwy 27, when he lost control of his car and began to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction and slide. The Nissan left approximately 172 feet of skid marks in the inside lane of US Hwy 27. The Nissan continued in a southeasterly direction across the median approximately 200 feet, while sliding sideways. The Nissan continued in the southeasterly direction across the northbound lanes (approx. 70 feet) and then began to roll down an embankment on the east shoulder, coming to final rest at the bottom (approx. 214 feet). During the time the Nissan was rolling, the passenger (Donnie Joe Lee W/M 02/23/1981) and Castillo were both ejected from the vehicle. The Nissan rolled over Lee and came to final rest on top of him. After the Nissan came to final rest, it caught fire and both the vehicle and Lee were engulfed in flames.
Witness1 stated in a sworn taped statement that he was northbound on US Hwy 27 and had just crested the top of the bridge, when he saw a black car, southbound on US Hwy 27 sliding through the median. He stated that as the car exited the median, it began to roll and tumble down the embankment. He said he stopped and noticed the car smoking. He went down the hill and noticed a man about 10-15 feet from the car on the ground. By this time, the car was on fire. He said the man was asking where his buddy Joe was.
Witness2 stated in a sworn taped statement that she was the passenger in a car with her husband. She said she was listening to music and was not paying attention to the road. She said she did not see the car crash, just saw it at final rest on fire. She said her husband ran down the hill, then came back and got a fire extinguisher. She said she never went down the hill and only stayed with her kids at the car.
Witness3 stated in a sworn taped statement that he was southbound on US Hwy 27 in the left lane. He said as he came around the bend he saw smoke. He said he stopped to help and noticed a car on fire. He then grabbed his fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire, but could not. He saw a guy lying on the ground near the car. He said that they dragged him away from the car and fire. He stated the guy on the ground said “man you guys are my angels”. He said the guy stated, “Man I messed up, I have been drinking”. The guy told him that he came around too fast. The guy asked him where his buddy Joe was. He said the guy stated several times that he was going too fast and that he had drank too much. He said the guy on the ground was the same one that went to the hospital and later identified to be Robert Castillo Jr.
Witness4 stated in a sworn taped statement that she was the passenger in the car with witness3. She said they noticed the car on fire on the side of the road. She also said witness3 grabbed a fire extinguisher and ran to help. She stated they tried to put out the fire but could not. She further advised there was a person lying on the ground, by the driver’s door of the vehicle on fire. She said witness3 and another guy pulled him away from the fire. She reported the guy kept saying that he was fucked up and drunk. She said the guy also kept saying he should not have been driving. She stated the guy’s speech was slurred, he kept saying he was sorry and was asking where Joe was. She advised that the guy they were helping was the same person that went to the hospital.
D/S Jessica Williams advised she had responded to help set up a landing zone for the air ambulance. She observed a W/M patient in the bed of a pickup being treated by Polk County EMS. She said the man told her his name was Robert Castillo Jr and gave her a social security number. Castillo told her he was driving the Nissan. She also said Castillo stated several times he was driving and he was sorry. Castillo also told D/S Williams that he had a passenger with him, Donnie Joe Lee and he kept asking where he was.
In a sworn taped statement Linda Lee (mother of Donnie Lee) stated they were all at the house when Robert Castillo Jr came over in a black sports car. She stated Robert was driving. She said that Donnie Lee told her, he loved her and would be back later. She advised Donnie Lee got into the passenger side of the car and they left. She said when they left Robert took off spinning tires. She stated this was around 2pm.
In a sworn taped statement Stacy Lee (sister of Donnie Lee) stated they were all outside the house when Robert Castillo Jr pulled up in a sports car. She said Robert was revving the engine she walked over and told him that was not necessary. She said Robert Castillo was in the driver’s seat. She advised that her brother told her bye then got into the passenger seat of the car. She stated when Castillo took off he took off spinning his tires. She stated a short time later she was on the way to work and came upon the crash but at that time did not know her brother was involved.
All witnesses reported observing only Castillo and Lee at the crash scene and no other subjects were seen around or leaving from the involved vehicle.
Once the fire was extinguished by Polk County Fire Rescue Members discovered a body underneath the Nissan. The body recovered under the car was confirmed to be Donnie Joe Lee. Lee was pronounced deceased on scene.
During investigation, D/S Lucas had responded to Lakeland Regional Health Care, to check the status on Castillo. D/S Lucas advised me that Castillo showed signs of impairment. D/S Lucas also stated that Castillo consented to a voluntary blood draw and voluntarily signed a blood withdrawal consent form. D/S Lucas further stated he supplied a blood kit and the treating nurse drew the blood. The blood was secured as evidence and later sent to FDLE for analysis.
My review of the completed FDLE lab report indicated that Castillo had a blood alcohol level of .164 and .165 G/100 ml of blood. Castillo also tested positive for cannabis.
Based on my investigation, I was able to obtain a speed range for Castillo’s Nissan, utilizing several standardized speed calculation formulas. The speed range was determined to be 90 mph to 111 mph. It was noted that this speed range was only a minimum speed and does not account for any of the damage done to the Nissan. The speed limit in the area of the crash is 60 mph. and was lawfully posted.
Therefore, my investigation determined that at the time of this crash, Castillo was in physical control of a motor vehicle, upon the roadways in the State of Florida, with a blood alcohol level over twice the legal limit (DUI Manslaughter). Castillo was operating a vehicle while impaired and failed to maintain control of his vehicle, causing the vehicle to slide, roll and tumble over 600 feet. It was noted that within the area of this crash, there were several roadway conditions (intersections, store entrance/exit and a hill) that a safe and prudent driver would have to utilize appropriate driving actions. Castillo’s driving actions resulted in a vehicle crash, which caused the death of Donnie Joe Lee, a human being.”
Bartow, Fla. (February 12, 2024) – OnMonday, Feb. 12, at 1:51 a.m., Polk County Fire Rescue and mutual aid units responded to a residential structure fire at 1640 Hwy. 12-92 Lot #8 in Lake Alfred.
The first unit (PCFR Engine 36) arrived on scene within six minutes of being dispatched. Upon arrival, units advised that a mobile home/trailer located on Lot #8 within the Lakeview RV Park was fully involved with fire. It was unknown if anyone was inside the RV at that time but due to the volume of fire, crews were unable to make entry to conduct an interior search until the fire was under control.
Once the fire was extinguished, crews were able to conduct an interior search and determined that there was one confirmed fatality in the mobile home. “Our thoughts go out to the family as they mourn the loss of their loved one”, said Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M.
Mutual aid was provided by the Lake Alfred Fire Department, Haines City Fire Department, Auburndale Fire Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida State Fire Marshal Office.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. For further information, please contact the Florida State Fire Marshals Office.
LAKELAND, FL (February 11, 2024) – On Sunday, February 11, 2024, at approximately 5:00 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a black Dodge pickup truck and a pedestrian near the intersection of US 98 South (Bartow Road) and North Massachusetts Avenue. Just before the crash, the Dodge was traveling northwest on US 98 South in the inside lane of travel. A pedestrian was walking, attempting to cross US 98 South, when he entered the truck’s path and was struck. The driver of the truck came to a controlled stop and remained at the scene.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The pedestrian was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he was pronounced deceased by medical professionals. The driver of the truck did not sustain any injuries.
The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours to process the scene for the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Travis Payne at [email protected].
After an extensive traffic homicide investigation, which began on February 25, 2023, the Lake Wales Police Department obtained anarrest warrant for Jeanette Gonzalez of Lake Wales for DUI Manslaughter. Evidence confirmed Jeanette Gonzalez was behind the wheel traveling at 137 miles per hour, seconds prior to impact. Her blood/alcohol limit the night of the crash was 0.210. The legal limit is 0.08. On February 9, 2024, she was taken into custody by the Lake Wales Police Department. Gonzalez was transported to the Polk County Jail Processing Center where she was booked in. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Eliecer Padilla who died in the crash. The lives of those involved in this crash have been forever changed. This is a grim reminder to never drive while impaired and to never operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner.
Original Release:
On Saturday 02/25/2023, at 1:13 A.M., officers from the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 27, in front of Weikert Ford. On scene, officers found 38-year-old Eliecer Padilla of Lake Wales lying in the north boundlanes deceased. The second occupant; 40-year-old Jeanette Gonzalez of Lake Wales, was also ejected from the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro and found lying in the median. Gonzalez was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
From evidence on scene and witness information, it was learned the 2015 Chevrolet Camaro was driving south bound on Highway 27 at a high rate of speed. The Camaro rear ended a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado being driven by Stephen Lakotich of Plainfield Illinois, which was also traveling south bound on highway 27 at the posted speed limit. The rear end impact, at a high rate of speed, caused the Camaro to begin flipping which ejected both occupants of the car. No injuries were reported from the occupants of the Silverado.
This investigation is very active and ongoing.
If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Meyers at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. You can also remain anonymous by calling Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).
