A man from Avon Park was arrested Monday morning near the intersection of Hwy. 60 and Hunt Brothers Rd. after a hit-and-run crash he allegedly caused in Lake Wales.
The following information, and excerpts from the arrest affidavit, were provided to Lake Wales Daily by Polk County Sheriff’s Office:
“On 04/07/2025 at approximately 0640 hours, Abraham Garcia Rosario (suspect, DOB 3/16/2000) intentionally and unlawfully left the scene of a vehicle crash involving damage to another vehicle. The suspect was the driver of Vehicle 1 when Vehicle 1 crashed into Vehicle 2 driven by (the victim).
“The suspect did not stop or make any attempt to provide any information or exchange any information with the victim. The suspect also made no attempt to contact law enforcement to inform them of the vehicle crash. Neither the suspect nor the victim suffered any injuries from the crash.
“A witness observed the suspect from when the suspect vehicle came to a stop after the crash until law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on said vehicle. The witness never lost sight of the suspect vehicle Post-Miranda warning, the suspect advised he left the scene because he thought the other vehicle left as well. It was discovered the driver did not have a valid driver’s license.
“The suspect was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Damage to Another Vehicle. (316.061 (1)) and No Valid DL 322.03(1)”
Rosario was transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Processing Center without further incident.
A more detailed account of the incident follows, as provided by PCSO:
“On the above date and time [0640 hours, April 7, 2025], dispatch notified (a Deputy Sheriff) of a possible hit-and-run, and the victim/reportee, (REDACTED) was still following the other vehicle.
“Upon arriving at the scene, it was learned that V2 (victim) was traveling northbound on Hwy 27 and was slowing down for traffic, which was coming to a stop. V1 was behind V2, failed to slow down, swerved to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of it, and collided with V2. V2 observed V1 continue driving without pulling over to make contact. V2 called law enforcement to report the crash while continuing to follow V1.
“(The Deputy Sheriff) met with (the victim) and Rosario on Hwy. 27 north from the incident location. During the investigation, D/S Clem made contact with the driver of V1 (D1) and learned that he did not have a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle on the roadway.
(The Deputy Sheriff) placed Rosario under arrest and transported him to SPC without incident. It was reported that Rosario is not a US Citizen and is an Illegal from Guerrero Mexico. ICE was contacted and made aware of Rosario’s arrest and pending identification status.”
