Update #2 : Strong words by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd : 

“We are confident that with the community’s help, we will identify and arrest the coward who ran over a deputy and a young woman and left them both for dead, and then fled the scene. We will work day and night until this case is solved. And to the coward who did this – we advise you to turn yourself in, sooner rather than later.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to identity and arrest of the suspect responsible for killing 33-year-old Jessica Enchautegui-Otero of Tampa, and seriously injuring 25-year-old PCSO Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell.

Update: Statement From Deputy Pennell Wife, Deputy Christin Pennell:
 “Our prayers are with the family of Jessica Enchautegui-Otero,  and we remain hopeful that with the public’s help we will find the person responsible for killing her and severely injuring Adam. We appreciate everyone’s support while Adam faces upcoming surgery for his injuries, and we ask for your privacy and your prayers. More than anything we hope the suspect is found. Please join us in keeping Jessica’s family and loved ones in your prayers during this extremely difficult time.”  – Deputy Sheriff Christin Pennell
Adam was hired as a deputy sheriff in December 2013. Christin was hired as a clerical assistant in 2011, put herself through the law enforcement academy, and became a deputy sheriff in May 2014. She and Adam were married in March 2016.

Previous Release :

Lake Wales, Florida – At 12:40 a.m. this morning (Saturday, October 29th) 25-year-old Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell, who is assigned to the Southeast District, was enroute to a call for service heading westbound on SR 60, between Tiger Lake and Sam Keen Roads, when he saw a citizen standing in the grass median of SR 60.

Deputy Pennell stopped his patrol car in the inside lane of SR 60, activated his emergency lights, and got out of the car to talk to the citizen. He learned the citizen had struck a tree and had injuries from the crash – the vehicle was off the roadway against the tree. The citizen had walked out onto SR 60 to flag someone down for help.

Deputy Pennell called for EMS to respond to the scene to treat the citizen, when an unknown vehicle heading westbound entered the median and struck them both, and then fled the scene.

According to Carrie Hortsman, Public Information Officer, “We do not have any information about the suspect vehicle. We are hopeful someone will have information about this. The vehicle will have front-end damage.
Deputy Pennell has a broken pelvis and other broken bones but should recover. The other person on the scene is deceased.”

The deceased victim in this crash has been identified as 33-year-old Jessica Enchautegui-Otero of South Cameron Avenue in Tampa.

Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell saw Ms. Enchautegui-Otero standing in the grass median when he stopped to talk to her.

Here is the timeline of events.

At 12:34 a.m. he told dispatch he was making contact with an unknown person

At 12:35 p.m. he called for EMS in reference to her injuries

At 12:37 a.m. he reclassified the call to a traffic crash (in reference to her car)

At 12:38 a.m. he made his last transmission updating dispatch with more information

At 12:45 a.m. EMS arrived and found D/S Pennell and Ms. Enchautegui-Otero with significant injuries

She was taken to Lake Wales Medical Center where she was declared deceased. D/S Pennell is at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center with serious injuries.

Deputy Sheriff Pennell is married to another PCSO Deputy, Christin. His father is a retired PCSO Sergeant.

We are seeking the public’s help to identify the suspect vehicle. It will have front-end damage.

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact PCSO immediately at 863-298-6200.

TO remain anonymous call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (0344). Anonymity is Guaranteed!

HOSPITALS OFFER FREE INSURANCE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE

LAKE WALES – People who need help comparing plans or filling out an application on the Health Insurance Marketplace can get that help at either Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport, or at Lake Wales Medical Center. The two hospitals are once again offering free assistance during Open Enrollment, which runs from Nov.  1, 2016 through Jan. 31, 2017.

Appointments may be made with the certified assisters at Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center by calling 800-353-1380 or at Lake Wales Medical Center by calling 863-678-2734. Appointments also can be booked online for either location at: www.GetCoveredAmerica.org/connector.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed in 2010, and this year’s Open Enrollment marks the fourth annual campaign to extend healthcare coverage to citizens who would otherwise be uninsured. More than 13 million people enrolled in Marketplace plans for 2016.

News of several large insurers either reducing their participation in the Marketplace, or exiting it altogether, has spurred concern about rising premiums and higher deductibles.

However, Kaiser Health News (KHN) reports the majority of enrollees will be insulated from premium increases, since eight in 10 receive subsidies based on income/household size. As premiums rise, subsidies increase.

“There are always questions concerning changes to premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket limits before Open Enrollment launches each year,” said Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center CEO Ann Barnhart. “This will always be the case as insurers enter and exit different markets. But what is consistent, year-to-year, is the value of the Marketplace. Millions of people are able to sign up for insurance who otherwise wouldn’t have access to care, or who would face a financial crisis due to medical bills.”

Majority of enrollees will receive assistance

To help make health insurance affordable, the government uses household income to determine who is eligible for financial assistance. As in past years, a majority of enrollees are expected to qualify for some type of financial support in 2017.

“I think this is where our certified assisters add so much value,” said Rebecca Brewer, CEO of Lake Wales Medical Center. “They know how to explain the pros and cons of each option, and they carefully screen each person to make sure any subsidies toward premiums, or any discounts available for deductibles or co-pays, are accessed.”

All health plans on the Marketplace must offer a comprehensive set of benefits, and coverage cannot be denied for individuals with a pre-existing health condition. Some of the health benefits include free preventive care and wellness services; doctor visits, prescription drugs, hospital and emergency department care, lab services, pediatric services, and mental and behavioral health treatment.

Penalties

Individuals who are eligible for health insurance who do not purchase coverage not only pay a penalty when filing their tax return, but they also forfeit financial help with healthcare expenses throughout the year. The penalty is either 2.5% of family income or a predetermined flat rate, whichever is higher. The 2016 penalty was $695 per adult, $347.50 per child, with a maximum fee of $2,085; these fees will be adjusted for inflation in 2017.

LWMC ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY AWARDS

Lake Wales, FL – Lake Wales Medical Center presented quarterly awards recently.

Employee of the Quarter was Annette Baldree, RN, from Infection Control. Annette was recognized for her professionalism, pleasant demeanor, and ability to implement effective changes and improvements to the hospital’s Infection Control program.

Manager of the Quarter was Serkan Sare, Nutritional Services. Serkan was recognized for his can-do attitude, pleasant personality, and his focus on and dedication to making improvements to the hospital’s Four Ten Café and to the meals provided to patients.

Volunteer of the Quarter was Sue Messenger, who volunteers in the hospital’s Hunt Building Lobby. She was nominated by several employees, who noted that Sue is always smiling, friendly and engaging to everyone who enters the building. She also is very focused on making sure she does her job correctly, and is great at training new volunteers as well.

The awards were presented at a recent employee social.