Lake Wales Police Department arrested 31-year-old Cory Alexander Butler on multiple charges, including DUI, possession of cannabis with intent to distribute, and hit-and-run with property damage. The incident occurred around 7pm on March 11, 2025.
Authorities responded to a call regarding a hit-and-run at the intersection of Highway 27 and State Road 60. Witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a gray Honda sedan with front-end damage, fleeing northbound on Highway 27. Detective Raines, while traveling north on Highway 27, observed a vehicle matching that description approach at high speed before cutting him off. Noticing the front-end damage, Det. Raines initiated a traffic stop at Highway 27 and Eagle Ridge Drive.
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers noted that Butler was not in the driver’s seat. They also reportedly detected a strong odor of marijuana from inside the vehicle. A visual inspection revealed a large sum of money in the driver’s seat and a portable ashtray containing what appeared to be a blunt with a green leafy substance. A search of the vehicle uncovered four large plastic bags of cannabis, empty plastic baggies, an empty beer can, and Swisher Sweet cigarillos. A box containing prepackaged cannabis was also found in the glove compartment.
Meanwhile, Butler had been located and detained in the back of a patrol vehicle. Officer Jerome confirmed that dashcam footage from the victim’s vehicle identified Butler’s car as the one involved in the hit-and-run.
Suspecting impairment, officers administered Standard Field Sobriety Tests, including the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, Walk and Turn, and One-Leg Stand. Butler showed signs of impairment on all tests. Additional Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) tests further indicated impairment.
Following his arrest, Butler was transported to Advent Health Hospital in Lake Wales for medical clearance before being booked into the Polk County Processing Center. A breath test yielded results of 0.106 and 0.121, both over the legal limit of 0.08.
Cory Alexander Butler now faces multiple charges, including DUI, hit-and-run with property damage, possession of cannabis over 20 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, DUI with a blood alcohol level above 0.08, and possession of cannabis with intent to sell or distribute. The case remains under investigation.
