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Lake Wales City Worker Who Saved Co-Worker’s Life Honored For His Brave Rescue

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Lake Wales City Worker Who Saved Co-Worker’s Life Honored For His Brave Rescue

Lake Wales City Worker Who Saved Co-Worker’s Life Honored For His Brave Rescue

by James Coulter

What started as a simple delivery to a job site quickly turned into a daring, life-saving rescue that earned one brave Lake Wales city worker a proclamation in honor of his heroic deed.

On Jan. 25, 2021, Clayton Taylor, Inventory Coordinator for the City of Lake Wales, visited a job site at 315 E Sessoms Ave. to deliver some supplies. Several water technicians were busy completing a water line repair.

One worker, Pedro Rodarte, System Technician for the Water Department, had to cut a ductile iron pipe to install a new line to repair the water break. As he was cutting into the pipe with a demolition saw, the blade kicked back and cut into his throat.

“At first, it was like those slow-motion things where you look at it, and you see that it was really close, and then when he dropped the saw, he went to go grab his neck, and I can tell it was game on,” Taylor said.

Taylor immediately jumped into the hole, took his shirt off, and wrapped it around Rodarte’s throat to stop the bleeding. As he did so, he told the other workers to call 911.

“One of the guys, his phone was not working for whatever reason, and he couldn’t get a hold of it, so I called 911 and got them on the phone and got dispatch,” Taylor said. “So it was an interesting day to say the least.”

Taylor had four-years of medical experience serving as a combat medic for the Army 82nd Airborne, which allowed him to handle the situation with practical immediacy and precision, he said.

EMS soon arrived for Rodarte to treat his wounds and airlift him to a Lakeland hospital, Taylor explained. There he received four hours of surgery and was quickly released four days later.

“He is doing well now,” Taylor said. “He got his stitches out, he is trying to get back to work, but he is taking his time, so maybe next week he will be back to work.”

At the most recent city commission meeting, Taylor was honored for his valor with an official proclamation, declaring Feb. 16, 2021 to be Clayton Taylor Recognition Day.

“Whereas, Clayton Taylor’s quick and accurate response made an IMPACT in a very dangerous situation; and whereas, Clayton Taylor has been nominated and recognized by his department with an IMPACT award…we at the City of Lake Wales wish to honor and thank him for the positive IMPACT he has had on the City and his co-workers,” the proclamation read.

Taylor had been working in the city for the past five years and at his current position for two years. He is currently working with the city to pass new safety regulations and order supplies for

medical kits that will be provided to workers to prepare for similar incidents in the near future. As for the proclamation dedicating an entire day after him, he was incredibly honored.

“I was honored,” he said. “It was a shock. I wasn’t prepared for it. It was anything I would have done for anyone, honestly…So I am honored to have that [recognition] on me.

Lakeland Couple Critically Injured In Auburndale Motorcycle Crash

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Lakeland Couple Critically Injured In Auburndale Motorcycle Crash

Lakeland couple on a motorcycle critically injured in Auburndale crash

A man and woman riding together on a motorcycle were critically injured from a collision with another vehicle Saturday afternoon in Auburndale.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash in the 1900 block of U.S. 92 at around 4:48 PM, on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Due to the extent of injuries to the victims, the PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit assumed control of the investigation.

The driver of the silver and blue 2000 Harley Davidson motorcycle was identified as 47-year-old Brian Martin, and his passenger was identified as 47-year-old Kimberly Sumner. Both reside in Lakeland.

The other driver was identified as 51-year-old David Cruz Santiago of Davenport. He was operating a green 2003 Ford Expedition which was hauling a jet ski on a trailer. Mr. Cruz Santiago nor his two passengers were injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, Martin’s motorcycle was travelling east on U.S. 92 in the middle lane of travel behind the Ford Expedition.

Another vehicle changed lanes in front of the Ford, forcing Mr. Cruz Santiago to apply the brakes. Mr. Martin then applied the front brakes of his motorcycle and lost control.

Mr. Martin and Ms. Sumner were ejected from the bike as it fell on its right side. The bike continued forward and struck the personal watercraft trailer being pulled by the Ford.

Mr. Martin and Ms. Sumner were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for their injuries, which includes head trauma. Neither were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Marijuana was found in Mr. Martin’s possession and in his blood; further testing though is necessary to determine if the amount of marijuana in his blood was at the level of impairment.

The eastbound lanes of U.S. 92 were closed for approximately four hours, but the crash remains under investigation.

One 17 Yr Old Killed & Another Injured In Lakeland Crash

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One 17 Yr Old Killed & Another Injured In Lakeland Crash

On Sunday, February 21, 2021, at approximately 3:40 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a single vehicle on Sleepy Hill Road. According to reports, a 2008 Ford Expedition was traveling eastbound on Sleepy Hill Road, approaching the intersection with Kennedy Boulevard, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree in the median.


The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The driver, 17-year-old Javier Benito, did not survive the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female passenger, also age 17, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.


The roadway was shut down for approximately six hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. Excessive speed does appear to be a factor in this crash.


If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact Sergeant Doug Mills at [email protected].

Wrong Way Vehicle Kills Babson Park Man In Frostproof Crash

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Wrong Way Vehicle Kills Babson Park Man In Frostproof Crash

On Thursday evening, February 18, 2021, a man driving the wrong way on U.S. 27, southwest of Frostproof, caused a head-on collision with another vehicle, causing fatal injuries to the other driver.

Upon the arrival of deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and members of Polk County Fire Rescue, 54-year-old Wendell Green of Babson Park was found deceased in his vehicle.

The crash occurred at about 8:50 PM, on U.S. 27 at Harvard Avenue.

According to the preliminary crash investigation, Mr. Green was driving a blue 2017 Toyota Corolla in the inside lane of northbound U.S. 27. Meanwhile, a white 2011 Ford F450 truck pulling a trailer was being driven by 75-year-old Everett Lucas of Niles, Michigan, going southbound in the northbound lanes.

Mr. Lucas told Traffic Homicide detectives that he had just turned onto the divided highway, and thought he was in the correct lane.

Neither of the drivers were wearing their seat belt at the time of the crash, but Mr. Lucas was not injured.

The crash, which remains under investigation, caused both directions of U.S. 27 to be closed for approximately four hours.

ROAD ALERT: SR 542 (Dundee Road) from Buckeye Loop Road to east of US 27

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ROAD ALERT: SR 542 (Dundee Road) from Buckeye Loop Road to east of US 27

City of Winter Haven:

ROAD ALERT: SR 542 (Dundee Road) from Buckeye Loop Road to east of US 27: Construction project: Traffic on Dundee Road (SR 542) has shifted slightly south from Overlook Drive to Cypresswood. With the shift in place, motorists will be crossing the construction zone when entering and exiting side streets and driveways on the north side of the roadway. The northbound right turn lane from US 27 to eastbound Dundee Road will be closed for four weeks beginning, February 20. The driveway from US 27 to Hardees will be closed temporarily. The driveway from US 27 to Dundee Ridge Plaza will remain open, with access to Hardees available through the Dundee Ridge Plaza parking lot. This project includes widening Dundee Road from two to four lanes, constructing an enclosed drainage system, installing a new signal at Overlook Drive and closing the Overlook Drive merge, upgrading existing signal equipment, adding sidewalk, bike lanes and street lighting, and making utility improvements for the City of Winter Haven and Town of Dundee. The contractor is Jr. Davis Construction Company. Expected completion is summer 2023. For more information visit the project website at www.swflroads.com/sr542/buckeyelooptous27

Locked Bike Stolen From The Mission

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Locked Bike Stolen From The Mission

Winter Haven Police Department

Stealing a bicycle by taking it apart because it’s locked up? That’s somebody’s ride!
Yes, he’s covered up, but his walk, clothing and slides may jog someone’s memory. On 1-28-2021 around 10:38 p.m., the male went to a bike that was locked at The Mission (180 Central Ave E). The red Panther bike with a silver chain was secured, but he removed the front tire and took the bike. The bike has a damaged fabric seat and damaged front handlebars.
If you know who this is, please contact Sgt. Hall at 863-291-5736.

Davenport Woman Killed In Two Vehicle Crash On Hwy 27

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Davenport Woman Killed In Two Vehicle Crash On Hwy 27

HAINES CITY, FL – A 77-year-old Davenport woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 27 Monday morning.


Lois Mann was traveling north in a black 2018 Kia Miro on U.S. 27 before 9:30 a.m. As she approached the intersection of South Boulevard, she struck a grey 2011 Nissan Rogue driven by Julyana Gonzalez
Santana.

Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that Gonzalez Santana, 20, had been traveling southbound on U.S. 27 when she entered the turn lane to make a left onto South Boulevard. As Gonzalez Santana made the turn, she traveled into the path of Mann’s vehicle and was struck.


The impact caused Gonzalez Santana’s vehicle to head in a northeast direction where it ultimately flipped. Mann’s vehicle traveled about 150 feet before coming to a rest in the northbound lanes of U.S.
27.

Mann was found unresponsive in her vehicle and transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical
Center where she died of her injuries. Gonzalez Santana, who was alert following the crash, suffered a compound fracture to the left leg and was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.
All northbound lanes of U.S. 27 were closed for about 30 minutes. U.S 27 was fully reopened about two
hours later.


Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Impairment did not appear to be a factor.


The investigation is ongoing.

Lake Wales Man Arrested For Burglarizing Homes During Funerals

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Lake Wales Man Arrested For Burglarizing Homes During Funerals

A Lake Wales man has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office following ten residential burglaries which occurred during funerals; the targeted homes were either owned by a recently deceased resident or by the relative(s) of a recently deceased person.
42-year-old Ronald Rose is now in the Polk County Jail with no bond, charged with: 2-counts of Armed Burglary (F1), 8-counts of Burglary of an Unoccupied Dwelling (F2), Grand Theft between $20,000 and $100,000 (F2), 8-counts of Grand Theft from a Dwelling (F3), 7-counts of Grand Theft of a Firearm (F3), and Petit Theft (M2).


“People who burglarize or steal are low, so victimizing people during a time when they are grieving the loss of a loved one…that’s lower than low. Someone who is willing to take advantage of people at a time like this has no compassion or consideration, and is a true menace to society.”- Grady Judd, Sheriff.


Rose has been charged for ten burglaries which occurred between October 1, 2020 through February 8, 2021, in the areas of Auburndale, Mulberry, Lakeland, and Haines City.


A detective investigating one of the burglaries discovered there were at least nine other burglaries that had also occurred while the victims were away at a funeral which had been publicly noted in obituaries.


Other similarities were that the burglaries occurred during the daytime, and the primary target for theft included jewelry, watches, silver, coins, and firearms.
On Monday, February 15, 2021, Ronald Rose was arrested. During an interview with a detective, he confessed to committing one of the Auburndale burglaries.


The car Rose used for the recent Auburndale burglary was a rental car- a 2020 Kia Optima.
During a search of the Kia, property of evidentiary value was found within it that led to a search warrant being obtained for Rose’s home.


Detectives went to Rose’s home on Carver Street in Lake Wales and found a gray Caddillac CTS there which is registered to Rose. That Cadillac matched the vehicle description given by witnesses on a few of the burglaries.


During a search of Rose’s home, additional stolen property was recovered and tied back to the ten burglaries.


Because some of the property that was found in Rose’s home has not been reported stolen by the ten known burglary victims, detectives believe there are potentially more victims, possibly in other counties and jurisdictions. Detectives are reaching out to other agencies to share their findings. The investigation is ongoing.


If anyone believes they have been a victim of one of these burglaries, or they believe the residence of a deceased loved-one has been burglarized in this manner, you are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. 


Ronald Rose’s prior criminal history consists of six felony charges and fifteen misdemeanor charges, including arrests for: Burglaries, Battery, Thefts, Criminal Mischief, Resisting, Drug Possessions, and numerous Violations of Probation. 

Murderer In Polk County Triple Homicide Pleads Guilty

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Murderer In Polk County Triple Homicide Pleads Guilty

HAINES CITY, FL – A Haines City man who brutally murdered three people, including a young girl inApril 2019, has pleaded guilty to the charges.


Ernst Cherizard, 40, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder on Feb. 11 in a 10th Judicial

Circuit Court. His sentencing is scheduled for March 8.

Before 7:30 p.m. on the evening of April 12, 2019, Cherizard fatally shot former girlfriend Eli Junia Normil, 23, her 6-year-old daughter Elizabelle Frenel and her aunt Nicole Guillume, 48 at the Citrus
Ridge Apartment complex. Cherizard fled the area before turning himself in at the Haines City Police Department on April 14, 2019.


“It is my hope that this plea and coming sentencing will ultimately bring closure to the family of those needlessly killed at the hand of this monster,” Chief Jim Elensky said. “They are also victims in this tragedy. I commend our detectives who built a rock-solid case and thank the State Attorney’s Office for its hard work on this case and role in this plea. This killer should never again see the light of day.”

Armed Robbery Suspect Caught in The Act, Charged with Two Separate Convenience Store Robberies in Lakeland

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Armed Robbery Suspect Caught in The Act, Charged with Two Separate Convenience Store Robberies in Lakeland

Lakeland Police Officers caught a robbery suspect in the act at a store within their city limits, just days after the same suspect robbed a store in unincorporated Lakeland (PCSO jurisdiction).

According to his affidavits, a citizen flagged down an LPD officer on Saturday, February 13, 2021, around 10:23 p.m., alerting the officer to the fact that a clerk was in distress at the 7-Eleven store located at 851 South Florida Avenue. The Officer immediately responded and found 42-year-old Antonio Welch, armed with a knife, behind the counter and on top of the clerk. The Officer quickly apprehended Welch, who was wearing a black hoodie, black shorts, a black mask, and red shoes with white soles.

PCSO deputies who were in the area at the time heard the suspect description (specifically, the red shoes) and noted it matched the description of a suspect in a robbery that occurred at the Kangaroo store located at 2100 West Memorial Blvd. on February 9, 2021.

Click here to read the PCSO Crime Stoppers bulletin.

Click here to read the LPD news release.

Detectives from both agencies interviewed Welch at LPD headquarters, and he admitted to committing both robberies, and assaulting both clerks.

“The cooperation and swift response by every agency in our county is what makes Polk one of the safest places to live in Florida. We’re especially grateful to the citizen who saw something and said something. This dangerous, violent felon was caught before he could commit any more violent crimes, and hopefully he will go to prison for a very long time.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

Welch has been charged by LPD with:

  • Armed robbery (F1)
  • False imprisonment (F3)
  • Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (F2)
  • Possession of cocaine (F3)
  • Possession of paraphernalia (M1)

Welch has been charged by PCSO with:

  • Armed robbery (FC)
  • Armed burglary with assault (FC)

Welch’s criminal history includes previous arrests for burglary with battery, larceny, brawling/disorderly conduct, sale of cocaine, trespassing, fraud, VOP, and failure to appear.

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