59.3 F
Lake Wales
Monday, December 9, 2024

Home Blog

Orlando Woman Charged With DUI With Serious Bodily Injury After Crash Critically Injuring 2 Young Children In Frostproof Crash

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

City of Lake Wales Approves Spending $107K on Consulting Services for Lakeshore Blvd. Drainage Improvement

by James Coulter

The City of Lake Wales will be consulting experts on how to improve drainage along Lakeshore Boulevard now that it has authorized spending $107,900 on consulting services.

At their regular meeting on Tues. Nov. 3, 2014, Lake Wales city commissioners voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda. One item involved authorizing the city to procure consulting services concerning the Lakeshore Boulevard Drainage Improvement project.

The agenda item authorizes the expenditure of $107,900 for Kimley-Horn to provide consulting services, and the City Manager to execute the necessary documents on behalf of the City for this project.

Nancy C. Hernandez, Utilities Support Manager, explained that The Lakeshore Boulevard Drainage Improvement project, “will develop construction-level plans for drainage improvements, including the installation of curbing and necessary stormwater infrastructure.”

“The Lakeshore Boulevard Drainage Improvement project aims to address a historical erosion issue along this corridor,” she wrote. “The absence of curbing and structures has caused wash out and erosion between residential homes. In the past, staff installed a temporary asphalt berm to mitigate erosion; however, this solution was never intended to be permanent.”

A portion of this project will be funded with funds transferred from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), which will require a budget amendment, Hernandez explained.

 

Multiple Children & Adults Injured In Horrible Crash On SR 60 At Walk In Water Rd/Boyscout Rd

0

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue are currently on scene of a horrible crash on S.R. 60 & Walk in Water Road. The accident occurred at 12:06pm.

UPDATE 3:05 pm: Polk County Fire Rescue PIO on call has confirmed that a minivan was involved in the collision. A total of five people were transported, one of which was a pediatric trauma alert, transported by air.

Early reports are a silver type vehicle appear to have hit a van full of children. According to witnesses on the scene a helicopter medical evacuation is underway. It’s difficult at this point to determine, but it appears 3-5 children are involved in the crash. One of those is being airlifted.

Seven total rescue vehicles are on scene including 4 ambulances.

Please avoid the area as road blockage is occurring, but which roads are blocked is not clear.

We will update as more information is released.

There were 64 DUI Arrests by PCSO in November. Stay Safe This Holiday Season and Get a “Tow to Go”

0

Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 64 people for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs in November.

These 64 arrests were PCSO arrests only, and do not include arrests in Polk County made by any of the city police departments or the Florida Highway Patrol.

If you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, please call 9-1-1 immediately.

And for those who may partake in imbibing some alcohol this holiday season, the Triple A Tow-To-Go program is available here in FL for impaired drivers. If you find yourself too impaired to drive during the Christmas or New Year holidays, call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246 or visit https://www.acg.aaa.com/drivers-safety/tow-to-go.html.

Photo courtesy: PCSO

Female Sought by LWPD in Theft Investigation

0
Provided by LWPD

LWPD – The woman pictured below is sought by the Lake Wales Police Department for questioning. On September 7, 2024, she selected several items in the store but failed to scan all of them at the register. She then concealed the unscanned items in her bag and left the store without attempting to pay.

If you have information pertaining to this case or the identity of this person, please contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223. Or, if you would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a CASH REWARD through Heartland Crime Stoppers: call 1-888-400-TIPS (8477) or from your cell phone, dial **TIPS, or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click
on “Submit a Tip”, or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.

In Loving Memory of Jenni Marie Fussell, 40, of Lake Wales

0

Jenni Marie Fussell, 40, of Lake Wales, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 

She was born January 9, 1984, to John Fussell, and Terri Ross Fussell in West Palm Beach. She moved to Lake Wales 4 years ago from Everglades City. She was a Digital Business Consultant, and she was of the Christian faith. Jenni loved music, loved to travel and was a gourmet cook.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Jack Ross; and paternal grandparents Marvin and Marion Fussell.

 Survivors include her mother Terri Ross Fussell of Lake Wales; father John Fussell of Webster; maternal grandmother, Linda Elliott of Lake Wales; brother Josh Fussell and his son Austin, of Everglades City.

No services are scheduled at this time. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

World Class Cellist Diego Carniero To Perform at LWLT Dec. 15

0

Tickets are on sale now for “An Afternoon with Diego Carneiro – Candlelight Concerts”.


Rotary on the Ridge and Lake Wales Little Theatre are partnering for a special one-day event on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, at the Lake Wales Little Theatre.World Class Cellist Diego Carneiro will perform live on stage.


Concert Times: 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. Cost: $25

Brazilian native Diego Carneiro started performing on the world stage 30 years ago at the age of 11. The Rotary Peace Fellow and master cellist delights audiences with not only his musical artistry but also tales of the Amazon, classical composers and his message of peace. Diego keeps the performance lively with audience interaction and humor. Diego promotes peace through music.

He created youth orchestras in Ecuador and Uganda and provided donated musical instruments to his students and refugees leaving everything behind to escape to safety. Bring new or used instruments to donate. Open seating. Doors open 30 minutes ahead of the concert.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor was 83 Years Ago. We Should Not Forget.

0


Photograph of Battleship Row taken from a Japanese plane at the beginning of the attack. The explosion in the center is a torpedo strike on USS West Virginia. Two attacking Japanese planes can be seen: one over USS Neosho and one over the Naval Yard. Source: Wikipedia

Just before 8:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a surprise military strike on Pearl Harbor, the now infamous American naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii, changed the course of history.

At the time of the attack, the United States was a neutral country in World War ll. The attack on Pearl Harbor (which ended the lives of over 2,300 American service members and civilians), and other U.S. territories led the United States to formally enter World War II on the side of the Allies. Our country waited until the day following the attack, on December 8, 1941, to take our place in the war.

When the war ended in 1945, a new world evolved, one that has only continued to change.

Today, on the 83rd anniversary of the attack that started the war for the United States, we take pause to remember the loss of the American lives sacrificed at Pearl Harbor.

Merry Market Night 2024 Tonight, Dec. 6

0

Merry Market Night 2024 is happening at the Warner University courtyard, 13895 US 27, Lake Wales, on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:30pm.

Enjoy an evening of supporting local crafters, enjoying performances from local schools, and of course, indulging in delicious treats from food trucks! It’s the perfect event to prepare for the approaching Christmas season!

Bok Academy Released from Heightened Security after Possible Off-Campus Situation

Bok Academy, located at 13901 US Hwy. 27 was placed on heightened security earlier today, December 6, 2024, after an off-campus situation, made it necessary to do so.

The school’s Facebook page offered the following message just after 11:30 this morning:

Meghan Petty, Public Information Officer for Polk County Sheriff’s Office, has advised on the cause of the increase in security:

“Bok Academy in Lake Wales was put on heightened security for about 20 minutes. The heightened security level was activated out of an abundance of caution, because we got a call that someone thought they heard gunshots in the area. The students are in no immediate danger. Deputies are checking the area out as we speak.”

The heightened security level has been released and students have resumed a normal schedule as PCSO continues to patrol the area.

32nd Annual Frostproof Christmas Parade Dec. 7 Will Be A Night To Remember

0

The Frostproof Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, December 7, 2024, beginning at 6 pm. the theme is Lights! Camera! Action! Christmas At the Movies!

The parade STAGING route this year has changed for the parade. For those who have a float/vehicle in the parade: Parade entrants will turn onto West 9th Street from Scenic Hwy. and make their way West to Clinch Lake Blvd. where they will turn right to head North toward West 3rd Street. There will be a check-in desk near the Clinch Lake Boat Ramp area. Please stop to get your parade number and give our staff your entry name.

Barry Foster with WWOJ will again be announcing the parade this year. The parade route will still be North from 3rd Street to F Street; it will turn left on F Street towards Palm Avenue and it will disburse from there.

In the past, many entrants have used the First Baptist Church, located between West B Street and West A Streets, parking lot as a place for parents to pick up children who have walked or ridden on floats in the parade. Others have traveled from F Street back toward the staging areas where vehicles may have been left before the parade.


Either way, you can eventually make your way to Henderson Field for the Holly Jolly Christmas Party at Henderson Field 2024 where there will be music, food vendors, snow hills, bounce houses, trains and of course, Santa Claus will be on hand for pictures and gifts.