The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is investigating a hit-and-run that occurred between 6:25 and 6:30 a.m. on Friday, September 10, 2021, in north Lakeland; the victim, 75-year-old Kenneth Williams, succumbed to his injuries on September 20, 2021.

The crash occurred in the area of US Hwy 98 North and Marcum Road in north Lakeland. 

Evidence at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle may be a 2021 or 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck, which should have damage to the driver's side headlight area, front quarter panel, and a missing driver's side mirror assembly. 

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

Around 2:17 a.m. on August 9, 2014, PCSO received a call about a man riding his bike on U.S. Highway 92, a divided four lane roadway, in the Auburndale area. A short time later PCSO received another call in reference to something in the roadway on US Hwy 92 in the same general area. Deputies responded and were flagged down by a motorist who had hit something by Old Dixie Road.

Deputies then located 27-year-old Hector N. Chavez in the eastbound lanes of US Hwy 92 just east of Payne Street. He had suffered extensive blunt force trauma and was confirmed deceased on-scene.  

Based on the evidence and statement from the driver who flagged down deputies, it was determined that Hector was riding his bike east on US Hwy 92 in the eastbound lanes when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. That vehicle continued east on Hwy 92. The vehicle, believed to possibly be a Toyota, would have sustained damage to the front left.

Hector had no official identification on him but he did have paperwork from recently being released from the Polk County Jail. His home address was located, and contact was made with his wife, who confirmed Hector was the victim. 

The driver of the vehicle that fatally struck Hector then fled the scene is still unknown. Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100, or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is investigating a hit-and-run fatality that occurred during the early morning hours of Saturday, May 30, 2020, in Davenport.

The victim, 36-year-old Scott Andrew Matthies of Orlando, was fatally struck on the entrance to I-4 eastbound from US Hwy 27 sometime after 4:45 a.m.

During interviews with his family and other witnesses, deputies learned the following:

Between 9 and 10 p.m. on Friday evening, Matthies called a family member from a Racetrac gas station located at US Hwy 27 and Home Run Blvd; it was clear that Matthies was having some issues. During the phone call, Matthies refused a ride home and became angry during the call, smashing his cell phone on the ground and breaking it.

Between 4 and 4:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, Matthies was still at the gas station, acting strange and attempting to smoke inside - he was asked to leave. He became upset, but he left, eventually walking northbound on US Hwy 27.

Evidence at the scene indicates he began dragging road signs and traffic control barrels onto US Hwy 27, specifically into the two northbound entrance lanes onto I-4 eastbound, when a large vehicle (perhaps a box truck or a semi) that may have been taking evasive action to avoid the barrels struck Matthies in those lanes, dragging him approximately 50 feet. There are tire braking marks at the scene, and deputies believe it is possible that the driver of the vehicle that struck Matthies likely knew he or she struck barrels but not necessarily that a pedestrian was hit. The vehicle continued eastbound on I-4. Matthies' body was seen by a passing motorist, who stopped, called 911, and remained at the scene. 

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

On June 5, 2020, at around 12:30 a.m. (thirty minutes after midnight), 54-year-old Larry Robinson was walking northbound on the east shoulder of US Hwy 98 approximately one-half mile north of Ernest Smith Blvd in Bartow when a vehicle struck him. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to help nor did he or she call 911. 

A passing motorist saw Robinson laying just off of the shoulder of the road, stopped, and called 911. When first responders arrived, he was deceased.

Evidence (and lack thereof) at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle might be a commercial style truck, such as a semi or a box truck.
 
If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is investigating a hit-and-run that occurred between midnight and 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, 2022, in south Lakeland, that killed 43-year-old Pedro Ramirez of Marjorie Avenue West in Lakeland.

The crash occurred in the area of US Hwy 98 South and Innovation Drive in south Lakeland. Mr. Ramirez was found laying on the east shoulder of the roadway near Oak Hill cemetery. He appears to have been walking northbound when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle also heading north.

Evidence at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle may be a late 90's or early 2000's GM  pickup truck or large SUV, which should have damage to the right front mirror, the bumper and grill area, and the right headlight.

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

The Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit is investigating a hit-and-run that occurred between midnight and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, on Interstate 4 westbound near mile marker 28 in Lakeland that killed 19-year-old Osbaldo Cuz-Xol of Doreen Drive in Lakeland.

The victim was found near the Memorial Blvd. westbound on-ramp of I-4, in the center grass median. He was last seen by family between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m. on October 30, 2022, and they generated a missing person report the following day. 

Evidence at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle may be a Mazda SUV or a crossover.

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2021, at around 6:00 p.m., 44-year-old Roy Newton  was riding a bicycle southbound on Carl Floyd Road near Executive Road South in Winter Haven when a vehicle struck him. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to help nor did he or she call 911. 

Newton was seriously injured from the crash, and  succumbed to his injuries on December 2, 2021.

Evidence left at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle is a grey Lexus ES 350. The car should be missing the right side mirror and have damage along the right side. The victim's family is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of this suspect(s). Heartland Crime Stoppers also offers up to $3,000.

If anyone has information about this incident they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-298-6200, or to remain anonymous contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477) or www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com. 

Around 6:40 am on Sunday, June 16, 2019, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call reporting an unresponsive female laying on her back in the grass median of US Hwy 92 East (AKA East Memorial Blvd) near Kennedy Auto Sales on Reynolds Road in Lakeland. When first responders arrived on-scene it was apparent the victim was deceased. There were no witnesses located.

An autopsy determined that 22-year-old Kara Hanvey had injuries consistent with being fatally struck by a vehicle. Her belongings were located nearby, along the westbound shoulder.

PCSO is seeking witnesses who may have been in this area between 5:30 am and 6:30 am, and/or any acquaintances of the victim who have information on her whereabouts or activities on Saturday night and/or Sunday morning. Please call the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100.

Sometime between 3:45 a.m. and 4:55 a.m. on Monday, May 6, 2019, 59-year-old Ramond Johnson of Lake Wales, who was riding his bicycle on Washington Avenue near M Street, was fatally struck by an unknown make and model vehicle.

The suspect fled the scene.

If anyone has information about this incident, they are urged to contact Deputy Sheriff Mendez at 863-297-1100 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

Around 7:21 a.m. on November 26, 2017, PCSO received a call in reference to a person who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle laying alongside the roadway on the north side of State Road 60 near Armour Road in Bartow.

Based on the evidence, it appears 29-year-old Barry Powell, Jr., was walking westbound near the area where he was found when he was struck from behind by an unknown black-colored vehicle, which was also heading westbound. The suspect vehicle should have damage on the front near the headlights.
 
If anyone has information about this crash they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). 

Around 6:40 a.m. on August 9, 2014, PCSO received a call in reference to an adult female who appeared to have been hit by a vehicle, laying on the side of Clubhouse Road in Lakeland. 

Based on the evidence, it appears 20-year-old Jillian Braddock was walking on the shoulder of the road just west of the intersection of Tillery Road when she was struck by a vehicle that fled. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2007-2012 model Nissan traveling eastbound on the two-lane undivided road. It would have damage on the front right. 

If anyone has information about this crash they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). 

Around 5 minutes after midnight during the early morning hours of October 28, 2017, 56-year-old Leonard Wimberly of Haines City was riding a bicycle westbound on Masterpiece Road near Longhorn Drive when he was struck by a pickup truck that was also traveling westbound, and then the truck fled the scene.

Based on the evidence, it appears the truck is a 1998-2009 model Dodge 2500-3500.
 
If anyone has information about this crash they are urged to contact the PCSO Traffic Unit at 863-297-1100 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). 

Polk County Sheriff’s Traffic Homicide detectives continue to seek the public’s help in locating a vehicle involved in a fatal hit & run.

36-year-old Antonio Smiley was struck by a late model white Ford Econoline van that was last seen eastbound on 1st Street NW, from the intersection of Stroud Road, in Lakeland, on December 5th at approximately 6:15 PM.  

Smiley sustained serious injuries resulting in his death as a result of the crash.  
The white van sustained front passenger side damage around the headlight and bumper area. 

A witnesses said the headlight was not operational following the crash.  

If anyone has any information involving this incident, please contact Detective Christello at (863) 668-3101. 

PCSO Traffic Homicide Detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred in unincorporated Homeland (between Bartow and Fort Meade) that resulted in the delayed death of 52-year-old Robert Nichols from Valrico.

Around 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the PCSO Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call from the area of CR 640 approximately one mile west of CR 555 regarding an injured adult male laying in the roadway. The victim told deputies that he had stopped his car to assist a motorcyclist on the south shoulder of the road when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The victim was transported to a hospital with a leg injury.

PCSO was notified the next day (May 18th) that the victim passed away during a second surgery at the hospital.
 
Deputies believe a large commercial vehicle struck the man.

If anyone has any information regarding this hit-and-run investigation, please 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), and if the tips lead to an arrest, the tipster could be eligible for a $3,000 reward.

PCSO Traffic Homicide Detectives are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred around 9:20 p.m. on April 22, 2023, in unincorporated Winter Haven.

Deputies responded to the area of Winter Lake Road and Thornhill Road where a bicyclist had been struck by an unknown vehicle that had fled the scene. The victim was pedaling across Winter Lake, from the north side to the south side. A witness almost struck him and then saw another vehicle hit him in the intersection by a car heading eastbound.

The suspect vehicle is likely a Kia. 

If anyone has any information regarding this hit-and-run investigation, please 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), and if the tips lead to an arrest, the tipster could be eligible for a $3,000 reward.

PCSO Traffic Homicide Detectives are investigating a hit and run crash that occurred in unincorporated Lake Wales that resulted in the death of a 42-year-old Lakeland man.

At around 3:25 am on Thursday, December 15, 2022, PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a report of a person lying on the side of S.R. 60 near North Airport Road.

The preliminary investigation determined that sometime between 1:00 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. Thursday morning, the victim was walking near the fog line on the north edge of eastbound S.R. 60 when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and continued westbound on U.S. 98.

There was limited lighting in the area at the time of the crash. It appears the victim may have been struck by a large commercial vehicle, and the driver may not have realized he or she hit a pedestrian.

If anyone has any information regarding this hit and run investigation, please 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), and if the tips lead to an arrest, the tipster could be eligible for a $3,000 reward.