Lake Wales Man Dies in Traffic Crash 

on Highway 27 at Washington Avenue

The Medical Examiners investigation revealed Mr. Wulffdied from a medical episode unrelated to the crash.  This was not a traffic homicide as no other persons, to include Mr. Wulff, died as a result of the crash.

We are in the middle of a nationwide Click It or Ticket campaign. This crash is a perfect example of why seatbelts are so important. This crash did involve a vehicle traveling in a 40 MPH zone of Highway 27 striking a stopped vehicle without any breaking. Without seatbelts, there would have been significant injuries to those involved. Please remember to buckle up and to make sure the ones you love are doing the same.

—— Initial Press Release —————

On Monday, May 15, 2023 at approximately 1:18 p.m., the Lake Wales Police Department responded to a traffic crash on U.S. Highway 27 at Washington Avenue involving three vehicles.  Upon arrival, Officers found that a 2008 white Chevy panel van had rear-ended a 2019 Nissan Sentra, pushing the Sentra into a 2021 Chrysler Voyager.  The driver of the Chevy was Thomas Wulff, 75 of Lake Wales was unconscious and not breathing.  Officers removed him from the van and began rendering aid until Lake Wales Fire and Polk County EMS arrived on scene.

During the investigation, Officers learned the Chrysler and Nissan were stopped at the red light in the inside lane for southbound traffic on U.S. 27.  Witnesses said the Chevy was southbound in the same lane and struck the Nissan from behind, never slowing down.  Witnesses said they saw Mr. Wulff weaving within his lane earlier in the area of the Eagle Ridge Mall.  They tried to get his attention and stop him but said he appeared to be having medical issues.  They said he was slumped forward and would not respond or acknowledge them.  They said the only reason he did not run through the red light at the intersection was due to the vehicles he struck. 

Jazmia McDonald, 20 of Avon Park, was the driver and only occupant of the Nissan.  Fernando Valladares, 38 of Miami, was the driver of the Chrysler.  Also inside his vehicle was his wife and child.  None of the occupants sustained serious injuries.  

Mr. Wulff was transported to Advent Health Lake Wales where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Wulff was wearing his seatbelt and did not have any visible significant injuries, leading law enforcement to believe his death may have been the result of a medical episode. This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding this crash, please contact Detective Michael Waldron at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223, ext. 2046.

Update Saturday Evening – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has taken Darius Scarlett into custody for Attempted First Degree Murder. According to the PCSO advised Scarlett, 33 yrs old from Lake Wales, turned himself in and admitted to the shooting.

The following is a long exerpt from the PCSO affidavit (It should be noted that this is an unedited, but redacted, report of facts by The Polk County Sheriff’s Office. These facts are up for question and everyone is entitled to question the validity of facts by law enforcement in a court of law. The Daily Ridge does not rewrite these facts as some meanings or interpretations could be in error and change context. We hope readers appreciate being able to read the information and come to their own understanding and conclusions) :

“On May 20th, 2023 at approximately 0948 hours. a call for service was made to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office 911 center in reference to an altercation involving several subjects. The altercation occurred in the roadway in front of REDACTED Lilly St., Lake Wales, Polk County, Florida.

A single gunshot was heard and the victim, later identified as REDACTED, was lying in the street with a gunshot wound to his right temple. The victim was responsive and made statements to the responding patrol Deputies that “Pete” shot him. The victim was transported to Lakeland Regional Health as a trauma patient. The victim is listed as guarded and in critical condition.

A subject identified as Darius Antwan Scarlett, AKA “Pete” arrived at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office located at 1891 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven, Florida at approximately 1152 hours and admitted to Polk County Sheriff’s Office personnel that he shot the victim in this case and had the firearm in his possession.

Responding Deputy Sheriffs secured the car in the front parking lot of the facility and Scarlett was detained. Upon securing Scarlett a black semiauto firearm in a black holster was observed on the right rear passenger seat.

I conducted a sworn post Miranda interview with the suspect Darius Scarlett (Who has an alias of “Pete”) who stated while at the incident location, his cousins Eric and Melvin were gambling and began to engage in a verbal dispute over the gambling game they were playing. The verbal dispute escalated to physical violence when Eric and Melvin began to batter each other. Darius attempted to separate Eric and Melvin when the gunshot wound victim, struck him for getting involved in the altercation. VICTIM then walked away. Darius stated he then went to his vehicle and retrieved his black 9mm Springfield Hellcat handgun. Darius then followed VICTIM to a Grey Ford Mustang stopped in the middle of the roadway on Lilly Street. Darius stated VICTIM began to try to hide from him while he pointed the gun at him. VICTIM was stating “I aint mean it bro”. Darius stated VICTIM at this time was not armed and was not threatening him but was actually trying to hide from him behind another person. Once the person moved, Darius shot VICTIM anyway because he was “in a rage” and then fled the scene. Darius stated he decided to respond to the Sheriff’s Operation Center to turn himself in. Darius confirmed the firearm in the vehicle he arrived in was the same firearm he used to shoot the victim in this case.

Based upon the suspect’s post Miranda confession as well as the victim’s final statement prior to losing consciousness after being shot by the suspect and other evidence gathered during the course of this investigation, I determined probable cause was established to show the suspect violated F.S.S. 782.04 Attempted First Degree Murder with a Weapon.

Probable cause was established to show the suspect violated F.S.S. 790.15(1). Dishcarge of a Firearm in a Public Area, F.S.S. 790.07(2) Use of a Firearm During a Felony Offense, and F.S.S. 918.13 Tampering with Physical Evidence”

——— First Update ———-

Update 12:08pm – Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed a suspect has been arrested in the shooting case this morning on Lilly St. in Lake Wales!

——— Initial Article ————

Lake Wales, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff Office is currently working a shooting of an adult male near Lilly St. in Lake Wales. According to the PCSO the shooting does not appear to be random. The call came in around 9:48 am Saturday morning. The PCSO, Lake Wales Police and the Polk County Fire Rescue were at the scene quickly.

The PCFR was setting up a medical helicopter extraction zone on Lewis Griffith Rd. The PCSO also has a helicopter in the air searching for the shooter.

The investigation ongoing.