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News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
May 19, 2026
Woman arrested with open bottles of Fireball whiskey after crash on golf course
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
The Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to a single-vehicle crash on May 14, 2026 at around 6:54 pm, in the area of Streamsong Golf Resort near Bowling Green.
When the deputy arrived, she found a red 2018 Hyundai on a sidewalk, and a woman sitting next to the vehicle.
The woman was 34-year-old Erika Mayer of Palmetto.
Erika was not injured, but was incoherent, unbalanced, and had slurred speech.
A witness reported seeing Erika driving her vehicle across one of the golf courses.
Erika stated that she had not consumed any alcohol, despite the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath.
Deputies also found the following in her car: one unopened 10-pack of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (50 milliliter bottles), 21 open bottles of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey (50 milliliter bottles), and two empty 50 milliliter bottles of 99 Brand liqueurs.
Erica refused to participate in Field Sobriety Tests, and refused to provide any breath samples. She stated that she has been told by friends and social media that it's a bad idea to do field sobrieties.
Erika Mater was arrested and charged with: DUI (M2), DUI with Property Damage (M1), and Refusing to Submit to a DUI Test (M2). She was also cited for Failure to Drive in a Single Lane and Open Container within a Vehicle.