32-year-old Ashauntie Cox (DOB 2/15/1991) of Orlando, who caused serious bodily harm to two children in her vehicle while fleeing from two crashes and driving under the influence, was arrested in Polk County on Friday, May 19, 2023, and charged with several felonies.
According to witnesses and information developed during the investigation, the first crash occurred around 8:00 p.m. on US Hwy 27 at the intersection with US Hwy 98 near Frostproof. Cox was driving a blue Kia southbound on Hwy 27 when she struck a grey Chevy Silverado pickup truck and then fled at a high rate of speed. As she continued to recklessly speed south down Hwy 27, weaving in and out of slower moving traffic, she rear-ended a 2016 Honda CRV while trying to pass between that SUV and the vehicle next to it which were both also going southbound. The victim driving the CRV was taken to Sebring Hospital, where he was treated and released with minor injuries.
The collision caused Cox’s vehicle to flip several times, ejecting two Orlando children, ages 5 and 8 years old. Both sustained significant injuries, and they were taken to Tampa General Hospital where they are both in critical condition. A 27-year-old female passenger was also seriously injured along her spinal cord, hip, and back. She remains at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in stable condition.
When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash, they detected the odor of marijuana and located a bottle of tequila in Cox’s vehicle. Cox was transported to the hospital and interview by deputies. Cox told deputies they were driving from Orlando to Avon Park to celebrate the 5-year-old’s kindergarten graduation. She admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day, and to having four shots of tequila. Her blood was drawn for further analysis, and she displayed several signs of impairment.
She was booked into the Polk County Jail and is being charged with:
· Three counts DUI with serious bodily injury (F3)
· Two counts negligent child abuse with great bodily harm (F2)
· Reckless driving (F3)
· One count DUI with property damage (M1)
· One count DUI (M2)
Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
“This woman had no regard for anyone’s life when she got behind the wheel intoxicated and then drove recklessly down a major highway, but what’s worse is the blatant disregard she had for the lives of the innocent children in her car. I expect a successful prosecution to hold her accountable—and let’s hope she loses her driving privileges if she’s released from jail or prison. Please keep these babies and their families in your prayers.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
One Movie Later: David Faces off Against the Animation Industry’s Goliath
by James Coulter
Disney’s animated output in the 2020s has stumbled, leaving room for other studios to rise as unexpected Davids against the House of Mouse’s Goliath. Films like Across the Spider‑Verse, The Wild Robot, and K‑Pop Demon Hunters have all taken their swing and won.
Now, another challenger has stepped forward—an indie animated retelling of the Biblical David story, no less!—aiming not only at Disney’s crown but at the towering box‑office force of the Avatar franchise itself.
David didn’t topple Avatar: Fire and Ash, which unsurprisingly surged past the billion‑dollar mark, but it did claim over $71 million domestically, becoming Angel Studios’ highest‑grossing animated release and briefly reigning as the #1 family film.
The question remains: is David truly anointed for box‑office royalty, or must its studio gather a few more stones before it can bring down animation’s modern Goliath?
David follows the Biblical story of its titular character. The young shepherd, David, is anointed to be the future king of Israel. He proves his worth by fighting and slaying the giant Goliath.
However, he’s soon forced to face another challenge when the current king, Saul, becomes jealous of his exploits. Will David rise above this challenge and prove himself worthy to be Israel’s next great king? (Well, if you’ve ever attended Sunday School, you know the answer!)
Throughout my career as a movie reviewer, I’ve reviewed three Angel Studios films, including this one. The other two movies, Sound of Freedom and King of Kings, I considered okay at best, neither bad nor great.
With Angel Studios’ previous animated film, King of Kings, my main criticism was its overly barebones approach to the Gospel story: a brisk, beat‑by‑beat retelling where characters existed only to fulfill their roles, as flat and underdeveloped as cutout figures on a Sunday School felt board.
Thankfully, David succeeds where King of Kings stumbled. By centering the story on its titular hero, the film charts his hero’sjourney from humble shepherd to future king, tracing his character growth from doubting his divine calling to embracing the destiny his God has set before him.
David was animated by Sunrise Animation Studios, a small studio with only a handful of projects to its name. Nevertheless, it delivers an animated film on par with Pixar without leaning on the familiar, overused “Pixar look.” Instead, its characters and world embrace a distinct, stylized aesthetic that leaves a far more memorable impression.
Another of the film’s highlights is its soundtrack. David embraces the classic Disney‑style animated musical, delivering numbers that come surprisingly close to matching the House of Mouse’s iconic musical catalog.
The two best songs, undoubtedly, are “Shalom” and “Follow the Light,” the film’s strongest musical set pieces. While none of the songs are “bad,” a few fall short of their potential. “Tapestry,” for instance, while good, comes across as a less enthusiastic version of The Prince of Egypt’s “Through Heaven’s Eyes.”
Overall, the only thing preventing David from being called the best animated Bible film ever is that The Prince of Egypt already exists and remains an undisputed animated masterpiece. And while David is far from being called a close second to Prince of Egypt’s first, the film does stand as a shining exemplar of an animated Bible movie done right.
While David is not the best animated Bible movie (Prince of Egypt is), or the best animated film of 2025 (K-Pop Demon Hunters is), or even managed to take down the box office Goliath that was Avatar: Fire and Ash, the film remains standing as a scruffy underdog in an industry dominated by animated giants.
Besides the obvious safety repercussions of speeding, Lake Wales drivers will soon have a new reason to be sure to follow the speed limits.
The new installation and subsequent launch of new speed zone cameras at local schools will initiate a new way to slow traffic down on highways frequented by children going to and from school.
According to Lt. Emmanuel Figueroa with Lake Wales Police Department, the first cameras will go live in front of Hillcrest Elementary School on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Both eastbound and westbound Highway 60 in this area will be monitored by speed cameras.
“The safety of children and residents continues to be our primary focus,” Figueroa says, adding that the cameras will bring an added layer of monitoring to local roadways.
Figueroa notes that enforcement will encompass the entire school day. Cameras will be active at Hillcrest Elementary mornings from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., and afternoons from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. On early release days, cameras will be active from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the afternoon.
School zone cameras will be active and enforced every school day, throughout the day, even when the yellow school zone lights are not blinking. The cameras will not be active after the end of each school day.
The process for issuing citations begins when the cameras record a violation. The footage will be sent to Altumint, the company maintaining the cameras, for review. Footage will be forwarded to LWPD, where a certified representative will make the decision whether or not a citation is to be issued. Upon approval, the citation will then be mailed to the address corresponding to the license plate on the vehicle involved in the violation. The citation will record the date, time, location, vehicle, speed, and license plate number.
Within the Hillcrest Elementary school zone, the posted school zone speed limit is 20 mph during school zone hours. Outside of those hours, the speed limit is 45 mph.
From the date of launch, a 30- day warning period will be initiated. Drivers will have a grace period of 30 active school days where a warning will be issued. Beginning February 27, 2026, citations will begin being mailed out.
Each violation will be fined $100. No points will be assessed for these violations. City representatives say that fines will be allocated to the crossing guard program, FDLE, state, and local government.
Officials say that any citation that is not paid within 30 days will become a traffic citation. These will then follow the procedure for UTC, known as Uniform Traffic Citations, which come with more serious penalties.
Hillcrest Elementary will be the first school in the program to go live, but McLaughlin Academy of Excellence, Lake Wales High School, Spook Hill Elementary, and Victory Ridge Academy will see similar programs roll out in the coming weeks. Each school zone area will have their own 30-day warning, specific school zone times, and speed limits, which are and will continue to be posted.
A total of four school zones will ultimately have new cameras installed when the program completes its launch. 
Law enforcement officials are conducting a death investigation at a home in the Golf View Park area of unincorporated Lake Wales on Sunday afternoon (we inadvertently said Tuesday originally).
The investigation is centered near the area of Jasmine Avenue and Piney Avenue, where Polk County Sheriff’s Office units were seen on scene along with Polk County Fire Rescue.
Earlier in the day, reports circulating in the community suggested the incident may have involved a dog attack. However, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Carrie Horstman confirmed that while a death investigation is underway in the area, it is not related to a dog bite.
Emergency dispatch records show that Polk County Fire Rescue responded to a medical emergency call in the Piney Avenue area. The incident was later closed after approximately an hour and forty minutes on scene.
At this time, officials have not released details regarding the identity of the person involved or the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Daily Ridge will continue to follow this story and provide updates as additional verified information becomes available.
Lake Wales police are investigating a stabbing that occurred Friday night following a disturbance between two adult women at an apartment complex in the city.
According to information provided by authorities, the incident happened at approximately 8:50 p.m. at an apartment (D2) located at 401 Winston Avenue. Investigators say the disturbance escalated into a physical altercation, during which one woman stabbed the other.
The victim sustained stab wounds and was initially transported by air to a hospital in Lakeland for treatment. Officials later confirmed that the injuries were not life-threatening and that the victim is expected to recover.
The suspect was taken into custody at the scene, and police say there is no ongoing threat to the community or to other residents in the area.
Lake Wales Police Department officers were joined at the scene by Lake Wales Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue, who provided medical assistance as they secured the area.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released the identities of those involved.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Lake Wales Police Department.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the death of a driver whose SUV was found halfway submerged in Lake Marion, Haines City last evening. Preliminary information is as follows:
Around 8:50 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, the PCSO received a call from a resident in the area who reported seeing lights and a vehicle partially submerged (with its front end in the lake) at the end of the Lake Marion boat ramp on Lake Marion in Haines City, off of Jim Edwards Road and Edwards Shores. The rear portion of the 2015 burnt orange Honda CRV was sticking up and out of the water.
When PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue personnel arrived, they located the 64-year-old driver, a Lake Wales man, still seat-belted in the driver’s seat and under the water. They removed him from the vehicle and performed CPR; he was transported to a local hospital, where he was declared deceased a short time later.
A small dog was swimming inside the air pocket in the rear of the vehicle. The dog was rescued and will be turned over to the man’s next of kin. Aerial drones and underwater drones were deployed but no other victims were found.
According to the man’s family, they called him around 6:30 p.m.because they had been in a vehicle crash (unrelated) in Lake Hamilton, and they asked him to respond. He did not show up and they were unaware what had happened to him. I do not have information about that crash.
According to the evidence at the scene, it appears the Honda was northbound on Jim Edwards Road and failed to turn onto West Lake Marion Road, continuing north onto the boat ramp and into the water. The driver’s window was down. The airbags did not deploy and there is no damage to the vehicle indicating that it had struck anything other than the water.
An autopsy will determine the man’s exact cause of death. The investigation is ongoing. There were no witnesses or video evidence of the crash located. A photo from the scene is attached.
Pedro Juan Torres, Jr., known affectionately as Peter, passed away on December 28, 2025, at the AdventHealth Winter Haven ER. He was born on September 22, 1965, in New York, New York, and lived a life dedicated to serving others.
Peter was a registered nurse and a volunteer firefighter, roles that exemplified his caring nature and commitment to helping people in need. He furthered his education by earning a Master’s Degree, which allowed him to excel in his nursing career.
Peter had a variety of interests that brought joy to his life. He was a die-hard Steelers fan, always ready to support his team. He found fulfillment in the kids ministry at his church, where he made an impact on many young lives. Peter had an appreciation for lighthouses, gardens, and the beauty of nature. Additionally, he enjoyed stamp collecting, journaling, and observing birds.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pedro Juan and Juana Torres. Peter leaves behind a loving family. He is survived by his wife, Awilda Torres; his sons, Matt Torres of Lake Wales, Lucas Torres of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and Jacob Torres of Middletown, Maryland; his sister, Irma Perez of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and his brothers, Carlos Torres of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and Pablo Torres and his wife Adriana of Homestead. He also leaves behind four cherished grandchildren, who will fondly remember their time with him.
No services are scheduled at this time. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, known more commonly as the FWC, is the state agency managing Florida’s wildlife, fisheries, and boating regulations. This week, the FWC released the preliminary results of the controversial permitted bear hunt approved earlier this year.
The following is the press release from FWC regarding some details of the result of the state bear hunting season in 2025:
FWC: After FWC staff presented options on highly regulated black bear hunting and the public provided their comments at the August and November 2025 Commission meetings, FWC Commissioners approved final proposed amendments to bear hunting rules, which took effect during the 2025 hunting season.
The new rules established Bear Hunting Zones (BHZ) within four of the seven existing Bear Management Units. Through a random drawing a total of 172 permits were issued across the East Panhandle, North, Central and South BMUs, and each permit allowed the harvest of one bear within the assigned BHZ.
There were 52 bears harvested during the 2025 bear hunt, which is a hunter success rate very close to other states with similar hunt parameters. All harvested bears were physically checked by FWC staff and bear response contractors, providing valuable data that will influence future management strategies. Analysis of the data collected is underway, and a full harvest report will be released in the coming months.
“The 2025 black bear hunt, rooted in sound scientific data, was a success. We’re proud to have joined the more than 30 states that manage black bears with regulated hunting,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “The limited number of permits issued in areas with the largest bear populations and other components of the hunt prioritized a conservative approach that ensures the long-term health of bear populations in Florida, while providing opportunity for hunters.”
“Hunting is an effective tool for managing wildlife populations around the world and is a key part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation,” said FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen. “It’s about helping bears succeed over the long term in our state and is a way for us to guide an iconic Florida species into the future, for their benefit and ours.”
The FWC Division of Law Enforcement allocated additional resources to support a productive hunt while maintaining accountability among participants. Increased officer engagement and hunter education led to strong compliance with hunting regulations. Out of numerous positive interactions between officers and hunters, only one hunter received a warning for a minor Wildlife Management Area violation, and no citations were issued. Additionally, the Division of Law Enforcement investigated all reported wildlife violations, and no wildlife violations were found.
“Our officers maintained a strong, engaged presence throughout the hunt to help ensure it was conducted safely and legally,” said Colonel Alberto Maza, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “While our officers were there to uphold the rules, the primary focus was education. I’m proud of our officers for protecting this important resource and supporting the goals of the agency’s Bear Management Plan.”
As one of the management tools included in the 2019 Florida Black Bear Management Plan, regulated hunting allows the FWC to manage population growth rates in areas with the largest bear subpopulations. Balancing wildlife numbers with suitable habitat keeps populations healthy. Hunting is an important and effective tool for managing wildlife populations worldwide, but it is essential to recognize that managing bear populations does not necessarily mitigate human-bear conflicts. Conflict prevention and bear management practices will still need to continue.
For more information on regulated bear hunting, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit MyFWC.com/hunting/bear. Tips to reduce conflicts and general information about bears are available at MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats followed by selecting “Wildlife” and then “Black Bears” and at BearWise.org.
A Lake Wales woman charged in a deadly DUI crash on U.S. Highway 27 has been sentenced to five years in Florida State Prison following a negotiated plea deal, according to Polk County court records.
Jeanette Gonzalez was sentenced last month, to 60 months in prison in connection with a fatal rollover crash that occurred during the early morning hours of February 25, 2023, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Tower Lakes Boulevard in Lake Wales.
As previously reported by Daily Ridge, investigators said Gonzalez was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Camaro southbound on U.S. 27 when her vehicle struck a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado that was also traveling southbound. The impact caused the Camaro to leave the roadway, enter the grassy median, and roll multiple times.
Eliecer Padilla, a passenger in the Camaro, was ejected during the crash and pronounced deceased at the scene. Gonzalez was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health with serious injuries. The Silverado was occupied by Stephen Lakotich and his wife, Victoria. Investigators reported no injuries to the occupants of the Silverado.
Data recovered from the Camaro’s Airbag Control Module showed the vehicle was traveling at approximately 137 miles per hour seconds before the crash and slowed to 92 miles per hour a half second prior to impact. The posted speed limit in that area of Highway 27 is 60 miles per hour. Investigators reported no evidence of braking prior to the collision.
The investigation also documented extensive alcohol consumption prior to the crash. According to the affidavit, Gonzalez and Padilla spent approximately six hours at Chili’s Grill & Bar in Lake Wales. A sales receipt obtained by investigators showed the purchase of fourteen alcoholic drinks during that visit, documented as seven buy-one-get-one-free drinks.
A subsequent blood draw revealed Gonzalez’s blood alcohol level was 0.209, more than twice Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Gonzalez was charged with DUI manslaughter, a second-degree felony. Court records show her criminal punishment code scoresheet totaled 102 sentence points, with a lowest permissible prison sentence calculated at just over 55 months. Under the negotiated plea agreement, the court imposed a 60-month state prison sentence.
In addition to prison time, court records show Gonzalez received a permanent revocation of her driver license and was ordered to undergo substance abuse evaluation and treatment. She was credited with time already served.
This is yet another where getting behind the wheel, drunk, has changed the lives of both the victim forever.
The Frostproof and Winter Haven communities are mourning the loss of two young lives after a deadly crash Friday night on State Road 33 in Lake County that investigators say was caused by a suspected impaired driver.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested Seenarine Hardeo, 50, of Groveland, on two counts of DUI manslaughter following the crash, which occurred around 7 p.m. north of Swamp Drive.
According to FHP, Hardeo was driving a 2009 Mini Cooper northbound on SR-33 when his vehicle traveled into the southbound lane and collided with a semi-truck. The impact caused the semi-truck to veer back into the northbound lanes, directly into the path of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Troopers said the front of the semi-truck struck the front left side of the pickup, forcing both vehicles off the roadway. The semi-truck overturned as a result of the collision.
The driver of the pickup, Garrison Gravley, 22, of Frostproof, and his passenger, Miya Brannon, 18, of Winter Haven, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The semi-truck driver was transported to South Lake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Hardeo was not injured in the crash.
Court records show Hardeo has a prior history involving impaired driving. In 2007, he pleaded no contest to felony DUI and driving with a suspended license. That case also referenced multiple DUI incidents in New York in the early 2000s that resulted in his driver license being revoked.
Hardeo was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday night and is being held without bond. The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
As news of the tragedy spread, messages of grief and remembrance began circulating throughout Frostproof and Winter Haven, where the sudden loss of two young lives has left families, friends, and neighbors reeling.
What began as unresolved conflicts between young adults in Lake Wales ultimately ended in violence, leaving one young man dead and altering the lives of many others. In the days following the December 2 shooting, little was known beyond the identities of those involved. Court records now provide a clearer account of the events that unfolded that afternoon and the circumstances that investigators say led to the fatal encounter.
According to arrest affidavits filed in Polk County court, Lake Wales Police Department officers and detectives responded at approximately 1:13 p.m. on December 2 to a reported shooting near South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue. Upon arrival, officers located 20-year-old Jayvyn McFadden suffering from gunshot wounds on the north side of a residence at 633 South Ninth Street. Court records state McFadden was later pronounced deceased at 2:05 p.m. at Lake Wales AdventHealth.
The affidavits describe an ongoing dispute between groups of individuals who were familiar with one another. According to a witness statement included in court records, tensions between the groups had existed prior to December 2, and the witness told investigators there had been “multiple shootings between the two groups over the past few years.” That statement is attributed to a witness and documented in the affidavit.
Court records also reference statements involving a man known by the nickname “Meecho.” According to the affidavits, a witness told investigators that McFadden had been referred to by others as a “snitch,” a label the witness said stemmed from a prior aggravated assault incident in which McFadden was the victim. The affidavits do not state that McFadden cooperated with law enforcement, only that the label was used by others and contributed to hostility surrounding the ongoing dispute.
Statements included in the affidavits indicate McFadden had been with others shortly before the shooting. One account states McFadden handed his child to another person and then walked west on Columbia Avenue. The same account notes that gunshots were heard shortly afterward, followed by the sighting of a blue Chevrolet Cruze traveling north in the area.
Court documents include statements from multiple witnesses who reported seeing a blue Chevrolet Cruze in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting. One witness described the vehicle driving through the area multiple times with its windows down and told investigators he believed the driver was looking for McFadden.
The affidavits also reference an encounter several days earlier involving the same blue Chevrolet Cruze. According to court records, individuals connected to the ongoing dispute stopped near McFadden and others during that incident and displayed a firearm, prompting those present to hide behind trees.
Investigators later determined that 19-year-old Miles Edward Brown was driving the Chevrolet Cruze on December 2. According to court records, Brown arrived at the Lake Wales Police Department while officers were still attempting to locate the suspect vehicle and admitted to shooting McFadden. Brown was advised of his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with investigators.
In his initial statement, Brown told detectives he was in the area of South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue attempting to locate the residence of a friend’s girlfriend. Court records state Brown said he did not know her name or exact address and claimed he did not want to contact his friend for directions because he did not want to appear “stupid.” Brown also stated he typically picks up that friend from school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is usually given instructions on where to meet.
Brown told investigators he was driving north on South Ninth Street and pulled over near the intersection of South Ninth Street and Columbia Avenue to change a song on his phone and send a message on Instagram. According to the affidavits, Brown said his vehicle windows were down when McFadden approached from the passenger side and then moved toward the driver’s side holding a hammer.
Court records state Brown told investigators he attempted to reverse but accidentally shifted the vehicle into neutral. Brown then stated he retrieved his black FN 9mm handgun, extended his left arm out of the driver’s side window, and fired approximately “three rounds” at McFadden, who was standing near the driver-side mirror.
After the shooting, Brown fled the area, driving north on South Ninth Street before turning west onto Cohasset Avenue. Brown told investigators he was unsure of his exact route but stated he drove under Highway 60 East via 4th Street.
According to the affidavits, Brown stopped at a traffic light at Polk Avenue East and Scenic Highway South, where he noticed his aunt stopped behind him. Brown told investigators he exited his vehicle and threw the firearm into his aunt’s vehicle in an attempt to distance himself from the weapon. Court records state Brown then observed police vehicles driving past him.
Investigators wrote that this behavior indicated Brown “did not have the intentions to turn himself in or speak with police regarding the incident,” but instead chose to discard evidence following the shooting.
Court records document multiple explanations given by Brown regarding why he was in the area that day. According to the affidavit, detectives later contacted the individual Brown claimed he was supposed to pick up. That individual told investigators Brown was not supposed to pick him up and that no plans had been made for Brown to come to the area. The affidavit states that after investigators confronted Brown with this information, he changed his explanation again, claiming he had gone to the area to fight another individual and had been listening to music to “amp himself up.” Detectives wrote that Brown’s statements continued to change as the investigation progressed.
Investigators wrote that Brown was “consistently untruthful” during the investigation. The affidavits state Brown repeatedly circled the block before stopping nearby, and a witness described his actions as appearing to look for McFadden.
Based on the information outlined in the arrest affidavits, Brown is charged with Second Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. The case remains pending in Polk County court.
As the case moves through the court system, the arrest affidavits offer a clearer picture of how unresolved disputes between young adults escalated into violence on December 2. One young man is now facing the possibility of spending much of his life in prison, while another will never return home to his family. What remains is the lasting impact of decisions made in moments that permanently changed multiple lives.
