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Plastic Pipe Manufacturer Answers Questions About Controversial Proposed Plant

Staff Reporter
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by James Coulter

The Lake Wales community was invited to ask questions and learn more about a controversial proposed major manufacturing plant during a town hall meeting hosted on Tuesday evening.

Local residents were invited to the Lake Wales Art Center to enjoy refreshments served by Wales Pointe Restaurant and listen to a presentation provided by representatives of Advanced Drainage Solutions (ADS), the company seeking to build a proposed plastic pipe plant along Hunt Brothers Road.

The plant would be constructed at a nearly 100-acre site near Hunt Brothers Road and US Highway 27. It would be used to recycle plastic pellets into pipes used for stormwater projects.

Advocates for the plant claim it will create new jobs and spur economic development. However, opponents have expressed concerns about the plant’s proximity to residential neighborhoods, with concerns about pollution and traffic.

A panel of ADS representatives attempted to address these concerns during the meeting that evening. They discussed their plant’s many processes and the safeguards to protect against potential hazards.

Brian King, Executive Vice President of Produce Management, mentioned how 17 of their plant locations nationwide are within a half mile of residential neighborhoods, and how those locations have only created positive effects for their communities.

Regarding concerns about pollution and other potential hazards, King insisted that their products and the processes for creating them were 100 percent environment-friendly. Their pipes are created from recycled material without chemicals or emissions and reusing water in a closed-loop system.

Furthermore, the proposed plant would be a $20 million investment into the Lake Wales community, creating more than 200 jobs with an average Lake Wales salary of $55,000.

“We want to be part of the community, and we look forward to being a member of the Lake Wales community,” he said.

Chakeyla Anderson, Vice President of Health and Safety, further elaborated on their products and their environmental impact. The pipes are created using recycled plastic pellets. She said it is the same material found in laundry detergent bottles and containers. It is highly recyclable and non-toxic, she said.

Regarding concerns about potential fires, she claimed their plants have fire protection plans in place to address any potential incidents. Most of their flammable material is kept spaced at safe distances so, if a fire were to occur, it would not spread and could be easily put out, she said.

“Our process is so tight, nothing we do should lead to a fire on property,” she said. “We take that seriously. We do not want fires. Neither does our insurance.”

Darin Hawley, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain, mentioned how the only items stored outside were the manufactured plastic pipes. Everything else is stored safely inside. Furthermore, their trucks are driven early in the morning as to not further aggravate local traffic.

“We have 17 facilities in 5 miles of residential areas, and 28 facilities in one mile of residential areas,” he said. “So, we have not had any complaints out of there.”

Following the presentation, attendees were invited to ask questions. More than a dozen attendees submitted inquiries beforehand and were offered the opportunity to ask their questions and raise their concerns.

One resident, Ron Pauler, asked if ADS considered building their plant somewhere else. Hawley replied that their plant would require rail access and a large enough property to accommodate their facility.

When asked if he would be comfortable building the plant near his own home, Darin replied that he would happily do so. “I know how they operate,” he said. “I do not have a problem knowing what they do. I would put this place near because it brings a lot of good jobs to the community.”

Another resident, Catherine Price, inquired about potential issues with air quality and microplastics. She had researched other plants and learned they were required to have hazardous waste permits. She asked if the proposed plant would require such a permit, and why it would be needed if the plant does not use hazardous material.

Hawley responded that the proposed plant would not require a hazardous waste permit, only an industrial wastewater permit. As for microplastics, his company has found no traces of them in freshwater lakes or ponds. Any microplastic would only be potentially found in retention ponds.

“We don’t want them on our property either, which is why we have these processes in place,” he said.

One resident who lives near the plant mentioned how she will be finishing the payments on her house in three years. She raised concerns about the factory lowering her property values.

“When you come in and my property value goes down…are you willing to match the property value that I am getting now in two years?” she asked.

Darin simply replied that their plants do not lower the value of property for nearby residents. If anything, property values go up wherever their plants are constructed.

At their upcoming meeting on Tuesday, The Lake Wales City Commission will vote on a “scrivener’s error” in the City Code that, if amended, would permit the plant to be constructed. The meeting will be held on Tues., May 2 at 6 p.m. The meeting is open for public comment.

“Green. Neighbors. Jobs.” Lake Wales Envisioned Offers Vision of Lake Wales.

Staff Reporter
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by James Coulter

Jobs. Green. Neighbors. These are the three main aspects Lake Wales should focus on moving forward with economic development and renovations within the next 10, 20, or even 50 years.

A preview of the future of what the City of Lake Wales could look like was presented during a workshop hosted on Thursday evening at the Lake Wales Art Center.

The meeting showcased Lake Wales Envisioned, a plan currently being formulated to, as their website states, “guide growth and conservation throughout the city and its surrounding utility service area for decades to come.”

The event on Thursday evening served as the culmination of Charrette Week, which included several workshops and planning sessions to collect feedback from residents about their city and what they wish to see for their community.

The input from these meetings was collected and compiled to create a tentative plan for the city, which, according to the website, “should lead to growth that will be economically and environmentally sensible, worthy of historic Lake Wales, and representative of the community’s priorities.”

During the past workshops and planning sessions, residents were asked what they considered most important about the city. The top three answers were: protect the natural environment, parks and open spaces, and economic development.

This feedback was used to create a prospective vision plan to guide Lake Wales development. The three highest priorities are:

Jobs. Polk County is set to become the fastest-growing county in Florida. Lake Wales will need to prepare to facilitate this population growth with economic development to provide new residents with new jobs.

Such economic development should be spurred on by investments in new technology, especially with old industries such as the citrus industry experiencing declines.

“If we have population growth but we do not think wisely on how to employ that growing population and to rise with upward mobility for better wages for their households and lives if we miss that, we lose,” explained Victor Dover, principal-in-charge of Dover, Kohl & Partners.

Action steps proposed included incubating small businesses, investing in technology, identifying new sites for industry, and providing a variety of housing to attract employers and industry.

Green. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was a renowned city planner and conservationist who helped make Lake Wales what it is today. He focused primarily on enhancing and conserving the natural beauty of the area.

As such, any vision plan for Lake Wales should continue his legacy through efforts and initiatives that focus on conservation. Such objectives in the Envisioned plan include constructing green buildings, greenways, and nature trails.

Action steps proposed included pursuing conservation funds, incentivizing conservation, acquiring land and conservation easements, adopting green building initiatives, and updating the parks and recreation plan.

Neighbors. With Lake Wales and Polk County expected to experience a population boom, the city should be developed to not only accommodate potential new residents but also create hospitable neighborhoods worth moving to.

Lake Wales Envisioned focuses on “traditional neighborhood development” through zoning, initiatives, and complete streets that provide walkable, hospitable neighborhoods and diminish urban and suburban sprawl.

As one of the “initial aspirations” of the Envisioned plan states: “We will seek to make traditional neighborhoods with walkable, connected streets that create a high-quality public realm the norm.”

Action steps proposed included making traditional neighborhood development, fixing the zoning, and adopting complete street standards.

To help achieve these high-priority objectives, Lake Wales Envisioned proposed several goals. These goals include:

Prioritize conservation areas. To help facilitate the city’s conservation efforts, Lake Wales should connect to the “Big Green Network” of surrounding nature areas.

This would involve connecting historic scrub and sandhill habitats with the Kissimmee River Corridor and protecting water resources along the Peace Creek River.

The plan would help bring the Big Green Network into the city with scrub and sandhill restoration, street trees, lush trails and greenways, and parks used for stormwater treatment and backyard habitats.

Prioritize infill areas. Countless square feet of property within the city facilitate urban sprawl with empty lots and parking areas. These infill areas could be utilized to provide residential housing and green public spaces.

One example provided was a local strip mall with square feet of empty parking space. Concept art showed how this space could be better utilized for the development of residential housing, apartments, and green public spaces.

“We have a lot of lost space that can be utilized to facilitate growth,” Dover explained.

Control limited growth areas. Part of the Envisioned plan includes making the community more walkable, which would involve renovating streets to narrow and slow traffic flow, planting more trees and other streetscaping, and providing better pedestrian accommodations such as bike paths and wider sidewalks.

Furthermore, updates to construction codes and zoning would help prioritize housing with front porches and wider lawns to facilitate a more hospitable neighborhood community.

Dover explained that this vision plans remain tentative and are not set in stone. The plan can and will continue to change to better facilitate future visions for the city. What the plan showcases is a proposal of what things could be and what city officials and planners could push forward through renovation efforts.

“The property owners and business people and city staff has not signed off on any of this,” he said. “What we have is starter work that we will work on perfect over the coming weeks and months. This meeting is to help us start the process.”

To learn more about Lake Wales Envisioned, visit their website at: https://lakewalesenvisioned.com/

City Commission Amends Code to Change Heavy Manufacturing Zoning from Special Exception to Permitted

Staff Reporter
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by James Coulter

City Commissioners only intended to approve an ordinance correcting a “scrivener’s error” in the city’s code, but their decision only further inflamed an ongoing controversy surrounding a proposed plastic plant.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday evening, Lake Wales City Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance amending the city code, changing the zoning designation for heavy manufacturing from “special exemption use permit” to “permitted.”

The ordinance was passed to amend a “scrivener’s error” in a previous ordinance approved last year by both the planning and zoning board and city commission that was initially intended to amend the zoning designation.

However, the city commission’s decision contradicted that of the planning and zoning board, which, at their meeting on March 28, voted 4 to 1 to keep the special exception use permit requirement, and thus, according to the ordinance’s memo, “recommending denial of the correction to the clerical error.”

As reported by the Lake Wales News: “The ‘corrective’ action would allow city planning staff to remove reviews of ‘special exceptions’ and make future zoning changes without the involvement of either the volunteer zoning board or the city commission.”

The change to city code has proven quite controversial, as residents fear it will more easily fast-track the approval of a plastic plant proposed near Hunts Brothers Road and US Highway 27.

Proposed by Advanced Drainage Systems, the major manufacturing plant would occupy a nearly 100-acre site east of South 11th Street and north of Hunt Brothers Road. The plant would be used to recycle plastic pellets into the material for plastic pipes often used in stormwater projects.

Advocates for the proposed plant insist it will generate economic development and create jobs; however, opponents fear its proximity to residential areas would increase the risk of air and noise pollution and increase traffic congestion.

City Commissioners who voted in approval of the ordinance averred that their decision was only to make a much-needed correction in the city’s code and not approve the proposed plant. The decision on whether to approve the plant itself would be raised at their next meeting.

Regardless, during the meeting’s public comments, and the public comments section for the ordinance, countless city residents voiced their opinions either in favor of or in opposition to the proposed plant.

Charlene Bennett spoke out against the ordinance. She was on the planning and zoning board when the change to the city code was originally approved in March 2022. She admits that she and the other board members were unaware of what the change would entail.

“None of us knew what we were voting for,” she said. “My vote was negligent. I was wrong, and I regret it.”

Bennett averred that a special exemption permit would safeguard residents against potential risks and abuses posed by large-scale projects like the proposed plastic plant. Only through the current process would the city be able to make better decisions about implementing and approving such proposals, she said.

“Nobody is hurt by a public hearing,” she said.

Blair Updike, who also spoke out against the proposed plant, raised concerns about the property if the plant were to shut down. She feared that a new plant with far more hazardous material could easily move in and take its place.

“I appreciate the effort to ensure this is a safe facility, but it is not something you should have to do because there is a process in place where you can have it approved without doing it yourself,” she said.

Bruce Francis warned that making the change to the city code would only open a “Pandora’s box” without any way of knowing what would spring forth from it. Moreover, he did not believe the new plant would create jobs; rather, it would draw jobs from other plants to the city.

“I know if I were putting in a plant, I would not bring in novices,” he argued. “These jobs being created, are they jobs being created?”

The City Commissioners who voted in favor of approving the ordinance averred that their decision that evening was not about approving the proposed plant, but rather about making a needed correction to the city’s code.

Commissioner Daniel Williams understood the concerns of the public, yet he felt the change was the right decision, as it would more easily permit the city to approve projects that would help draw in potential employers.

“When I look at the community directly, we owe the city opportunities that will allow income that will provide for their family that is feasible and respectable,” he said. “Even if this [proposal] passes, we still have to do through the planning process.”

Commissioner Terry Howell insisted that her decision was solely about changing the scrivener’s error and not about approving the proposed plant.

“I am sorry everyone thought this was the time to talk about the plant,” she said. “I thought it was about changing the error. It is still an error, and it needs to be change.”

Sheriff Grady Judd Boasts of 51-Year-Low Crime Rate at Chamber Luncheon

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Sheriff Grady Judd Boasts of 51-Year-Low Crime Rate at Chamber Luncheon

by James Coulter

Sheriff Grady Judd shared a story about someone who stole a $2.19 soft drink from a local gas station. The man goes to the cashier to pay for his stuff but not his drink. The cashier reminds him he needs to pay for it. Instead, the man marches to his car and drives away, despite the cashier’s protests.

Shortly after, the man is pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy. The officer asks him for his license. The man complies and asks why he was pulled over. The deputy replied that he received a call about someone who stole a soft drink from a local gas station.

“You stopped me over a soda that costs $2.19?” the man asked.

“No,” the officer replied. “I stopped you because you are a thief, the amount makes no difference.”

The cop then ordered the man to step out of the car. The man asked why. The officer said it was easier to put handcuffs on him if he stepped out of the car.

“I’m going to jail over a soda that cost $2.19?” the man asked.

“No,” the officer replied. “You’re going to jail for stealing. The value makes no difference.”

The deputy then said that the man would have to pay $500 in bail. He would also have to pay to get his car returned to him from impound, which would certainly cost more than $2.19 for a soft drink.

“The man had not appeared before the judge and he already had a tow bill and jail bond,” Sheriff Judd said. “Would it not have been easier for him to pay for a soda?”

Sheriff Judd told this witty anecdote during a chamber luncheon hosted by the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. The Honorable Sheriff served as the guest speaker that day. During his speech, he boasted about the low crime rates Polk County was experiencing due to the hard work and effort by him and his deputies.

Currently, Polk County is experiencing a record 51-year-low crime rate. Crime was not always that low, Sheriff Judd stated. He remembers when crime was high during the 70s and 80s. That all changed when both the state and country enacted “tough on crime” policies.

Following a gruesome incident where 17 tourists were murdered, Europe issued a warning that the state of Florida was unsafe for tourists to visit. This incident inspired the state to become more “tough on crime” and the crime rate took a sharp nose dive over the following decades to its all-time low point now, Judd explained.

The reason why crime went down, and why it continues to stay down, is because the state took law enforcement seriously. Back when crime was high, he remembered how many criminals would be sent off with a slap on a wrist.

Sheriff Judd recalls one incident involving a convict who was jailed with a 25-year life sentence. Shortly after being let out on parole for “good behavior,” the man robbed a liquor store, killed the person working there, went to a furniture store, and killed a teenager and the owner.

Sheriff Judd averred that such “light on crime”, “hug a thug” policies are why crime remains rampant in states like California and cities like New York City and Chicago. He argued that doing the exact opposite of those places is why crime in Polk County and Florida are at an all-time low.

“That is why crime is low in Florida and not in California. That is why the murder rate is low here and not in [other cities],” he said. “It is what you accept as a society that makes a difference, and we choose to make you safe.”

With Polk County set to become the fastest growing county in Florida, more and more people are moving from cities and states with high crime rates. While he openly welcomes new people moving here, he also urges them to leave behind the failed policies and attitudes that led to higher crime.

He recalled one instance where deputies responded to a domestic dispute. The offender in question shoved a deputy aside and ran to punch the person who called in the face. The deputies responded, as Judd said, “by introducing his face to the pavement.”

The man was then led to the patrol car and told he was going to jail. He told the officers that this was not how things were done in New York City. There, people were only “encouraged” to show up at court if they wanted to.

The officer replied: “Before we leave, look around. Do you see Empire State Building. This is not New York City. This is Polk County, Florida.”

“Don’t go poking the deputies and smacking people around,” Sheriff Judd said. “That will get you arrested.”

The Good Sheriff ended his speech by encouraging citizens to lock their car doors and park their vehicles in their garage. He insisted that taking such precautions could help reduce the overall crime rate even lower by 40 percent.

“If you don’t lock your cars, leave your wallet and purse there,” he said. “Go out on a limb and leave your car fob so they can drive away, too…It is the downside of crime so low and people feeling so safe that they do not lock their cars up.”

Prior to his speech, several Chamber members praised Sheriff Judd for the outstanding track record of his sheriff office. Donna Fellows, publisher at Four Corner Sun, which runs a regular column by the Sheriff, called him the “Best sheriff in the nation.”

Three People Shot & One Custody In Auburndale Shooting

Carl Fish
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Three People Shot & One Custody In Auburndale Shooting

Auburndale Police Department Press Release 10:08am –

On April 29, 2023, at about 8:33pm Auburndale Police with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriffs Office responded to the 3000 block of Allred Drive regarding a report of gunfire in the area with three people shot. The victims were two adult males and one juvenile male. At the time of this update, one victim has been treated and released from the hospital while the other two victims remain and are reported to be in stable condition.

Prior to the shooting, a disturbance had started between several subjects who have an ongoing feud in the neighborhood which escalated into a physical altercation and ultimately gunshots. One of the shooting victims, a juvenile, is believed to be a bystander and not involved in the physical altercation.

Auburndale detectives have arrested twenty six (26) year old Xavier Rakim Roberts and charged him with three (3) counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; a second-degree felony.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Auburndale Police Department at (863) 965-5555, or if you have information and would like to remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

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Auburndale Police Press Released 1:30 am Saturday-

At approximately 8:33 p.m., Auburndale Police responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of Allred Drive in Auburndale. During the investigation it was discovered that three people were shot. The three victims were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One person has been taken into custody. At this time, all names are being withheld due to the investigation is still active. An updated media release will be sent later.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Auburndale Police Department at (863) 965-5555 or if you have information and would like to remain anonymous call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477).

YMCA Of Central Florida Closing Lake Wales Branch

Staff Reporter
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The YMCA Of Central Florida has decided to close it’s Lake Wales Branch. In a letter circulating around Facebook Elaine Thompson, PhD Chief Executive Officer of the local YMCA’s states the following “The YMCA of West Central Florida has decided to close the Lake Wales Branch and end the relationship with the City of Lake Wales. Notice was given to the City of Lake Wales on April 25th that provided an October 31, 2023, termination date.”

The Daily Ridge News reached out to the city of Lake Wales and they confirmed the news.

According to Stephanie-Grace Lutton, City of Lake Wales Parks & Recreation Manager, and Eric Marshall, City of Lake Wales Communications & Engagement Director, the “city is exploring other options“.

This is a developing story, but below is a copy of the letter from the YMCA of Central Florida

Central Florida Food Fest Grows Twice as Big for 2nd Year

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Central Florida Food Fest Grows Twice as Big for 2nd Year

by James Coulter

Nothing tastes better than fresh food, and food tastes even fresher when it’s grown within a mile of where you live. Central Florida Abundance wants people to know that, which is why they started their company.

Central Florida Abundance is a regenerative landscaping and gardening company that specializes in helping property owners produce their own food at their own homes. They assist homeowners with everything from ornamental landscaping with the natives and edibles to full-on food forests and annual gardens.

Sam Igo has assisted many people with starting their own food forests. He even served as a consultant with Scars Farm in Bartow to help them start their own food forest. That close relationship inspired him to attend this year’s Food Fest.

“It is fun to come out to the farm, and we are glad to be out here today,” he said. “So it is great to see stuff like this with people selling plants, people selling goods that can come from plants. It is inspiring and I have talked to a lot of people out here who are happy to be out here.”

The 2nd Annual Central Florida Food Forest Festival was hosted at Scars Farm in Bartow last Saturday. Several hundred people attended to peruse booths from local nurseries, vendors, and other businesses the specialize in growing local sustainable produce.

Aside from the many vendors and food trucks participating that day, attendees could also listen to live music, take horse rides and hay rides, and take photos with the Cinderella coach.

This year’s event proved bigger and better than the inaugural event last year, explained owner and manager Michael Kiremisti. This year’s turnout was phenomenal, and he has high expectations for future events.

The Food Fest allowed Scars Farm to showcase its new 5,000-square-foot, climate-controlled barn. The new facility will allow them to host more events in the future. They have already hosted several company picnics for local businesses recently. Plans are currently underway to construct a village of 20 to 30 cottages to allow people to stay on the property.

Kiremisti owes his success to social media. Through Facebook and Instagram, he has allowed word about his venue spread across the internet. Scars Farms plans on hosting several more events for Halloween and Christmas, along with 30 private weddings, over the next year.

“This year had an amazing turnout,” he said. “We had a great turnout last year. This year, it is more of the same. People came out from last year. We cannot believe the growth. The infrastructure has grown, and the vendors have grown as well.”

An Illegal Immigrant, Who Has Previously Been Deported, Was Recently Arrested For DUI Manslaughter Has Now Died In Polk County Custody

Carl Fish
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An Illegal Immigrant, Who Has Previously Been Deported, Was Recently Arrested For DUI Manslaughter Has Now Died In Polk County Custody

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of a Polk County Jail Inmate that occurred on Monday, April 24, 2023, at Advent Health Sebring Hospital.

The inmate who died is 43-year-old Doroteo Martinez-Castro of Haines City. On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Martinez-Castro for DUI Manslaughter (F2) and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked and Causing Death (F3). He also received a citation for driving on the wrong side of the road.

PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 10:55 p.m.to the crash at the intersection of US 17/92 and Lee Jackson Highway North, just north of the city of Haines City. 

The victim, a 23-year old Hispanic male from Davenport, and Martinez-Castro were both transported to a local hospital. The victim passed away from his injuries shortly after he arrived.

Martinez-Castro was driving a black 2009 Honda Accord, traveling north on Lee Jackson Hwy when he entered into the southbound lane of US 17/92 at the V-intersection. The Honda collided head-on with the victim’s silver 2009 Toyota Prius which was traveling south on US 17/92.

Multiple cans of Modelo beer were found in Martinez-Castro’s vehicle. He also admitted to a detective that he drank multiple beers and Crown Royal whisky a short time before the crash. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for an ankle injury, and his blood was drawn. His blood samples were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for additional testing. Upon his release from the hospital during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 23rd, he was booked in to the Polk County Jail and then transferred to the medical dorm for his ankle injury.

Martinez-Castro, who is in the United States illegally from Mexico, only had a learner’s permit to drive, but it was suspended in 2019. He was arrested by the Haines City Police Department in 2019 on traffic-related charges, and deported back to Mexico twice since that arrest. His criminal history includes four prior traffic-related misdemeanor arrests. The PCSO notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement of this most recent arrest upon his being booked into the Polk County Jail. 

According to the investigation so far, Martinez-Castro was being monitored by deputies and medical staff throughout Monday morning, April 24th. Deputies checked on him every 14-15 minutes. When his food tray was delivered at 10:40 a.m., a deputy noticed he was sitting in his wheelchair unresponsive. Deputies and medical staff immediately began CPR until he was transported to Sebring. He was declared deceased at the hospital at 11:31 a.m.

An initial autopsy conducted on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, showed that Martinez-Castro died as a result of crash-related internal injuries. Final autopsy results are pending toxicology reports.

The investigation is ongoing. It is standard PCSO policy for four separate, independent investigations. The PCSO completes a death investigation and administrative (internal) investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner conducted the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death. All the investigative findings are forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspect Becoming Ill During Transport On Polk Parkway

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspect Becoming Ill During Transport On Polk Parkway

Updated Information: A man arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in the early morning hours of Monday, April 24, 2023 suffered a medical episode while being transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center and died later at Bartow Regional Medical Center.

58-year old Maximino Lopez-Gonzalez of Lakeland was exhibiting signs of possible excited delirium and was transferred to an ambulance on the Polk Parkway at US 98 to be taken to a local hospital. 

Deputies first came into contact with Lopez-Gonzalez when they responded to his residence in a neighborhood off of Old Tampa Hwy and CR 542 in Lakeland at around 2:09 am, in reference to a family disturbance.

The investigation determined that Lopez-Gonzalez had doused a bedridden female relative with a chemical cleaning agent and threatened to kill her.  Lopez-Gonzalez was arrested for battery-domestic violence on a victim 65-years old or older, and for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

After handcuffing him, Lopez-Gonzalez resisted deputies’ attempts to put him in the patrol car and kicked the deputies many times.

During transport to the Sheriff’s Processing Center, Lopez-Gonzalez managed to get a hand free from the handcuffs and began striking the windows with his fists and head, he was acting erratically. The deputy stopped the car, and requested assistance. 

Other deputies responded, noticed his erratic behavior, that he was sweating profusely and making statements about seeing people and objects that were not there, leading deputies to believe he was showing signs of possible excited delirium, and/or methamphetamine intoxication, and Polk County EMS was requested to the scene.

The deputies struggled to pull Lopez-Gonzalez out of the car and handcuff him again. 

Lopez-Gonzalez punched one deputy in the face and bit another deputy’s finger.

Deputies discovered a clear baggie on the back seat of the patrol car containing residue of a crystal-like substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.

EMS arrived, took custody of Lopez-Gonzalez, and while en route to the hospital, he became unresponsive, and medics began life-saving measures. 

At 10:58 pm, Maximino Lopez-Gonzalez was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

On Tuesday, April 25th, an autopsy was performed on Lopez-Gonzalez which concluded that none of his injuries were a result of law enforcement actions. It revealed liver disease and an enlarged heart. The autopsy results are pending toxicology reports. 

Per standard protocol, there are four investigations currently underway: an independent investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) Task Force; an internal investigation by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit; the Polk County Medical Examiner conducts the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death; and all investigative findings are forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review

Updated Details 4/25: Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media during 1:30pm press conference regarding a domestic violence investigation of a man that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, April 24th. Deputies responded to a residence on Memphis Road in unincorporated Lakeland where they learned the man sprayed a 65-year-old bedridden woman with cleaning chemicals and threatened to kill her. The man was also in possession of methamphetamine and was behaving erratically. While transporting him to the inmate processing center, the man began displaying symptoms of excited delirium. The deputy stopped on the Polk Parkway near Highway 98 South, EMS was called, and while transporting him to Bartow Regional Medical Center, the inmate coded. The inmate later died at the hospital.

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The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the large deputy presence on the Polk Parkway, earlier Monday morning, was due to a suspect becoming Gravely ill during transport. The suspect was taken into custody after a family disturbance call earlier. At 3:45am deputies called for medical assistance. He was transported by Polk County Fire Rescue to an area hospital.

It is unknown what charges the suspect is facing or his current medical condition. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the entire incident and will release more information as it becomes available.

A social media post earlier today showed mobile command units on scene along with a large number of deputies present. It’s not known if the mobile command units were used. Some social media comments felt Sheriff Judd would be holding a press conference, but we are told he isn’t in the Polk County area today.

The Daily Ridge will update as more information is released.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating A Hit & Run Fatal Crash In Winter Haven

Carl Fish
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Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating A Hit & Run Fatal Crash In Winter Haven

Polk County Sheriff’s Office seeks driver and vehicle involved in fatal hit-and-run

 

A bicyclist was killed by a hit-and-run crash Saturday evening, April 22, 2023, at the intersection of Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) and Thornhill Road near Winter Haven, and Traffic Homicide investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are looking for the driver and vehicle involved.

Detectives haven’t confirmed the identification yet, but the victim is a black male, believed to be a young adult.

 

Deputies were dispatched to the crash at about 9:24 pm, along with Polk County Fire Rescue. Upon their arrival, the victim was unresponsive, and he was transported to a local hospital where he died.

 

The preliminary investigation based on evidence and witness statements, indicate that the victim was riding his bicycle south on Thornhill Road, and entered the intersection on a red light.

 

A witness who narrowly missed striking the bicyclist first, reported that another vehicle did make contact and quickly accelerated away. The fleeing vehicle was described as a gray or dark-colored sedan that was traveling east on Winter Lake Road. 

 

PCSO detectives say that the suspect’s vehicle should have some front-end damages, and possibly side window damage.

 

If anyone has any information about the crash or the vehicle involved, they are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Tips can also be made anonymously to Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). If a tip leads to an arrest, the tipster could be eligible for a reward.

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