News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Sep 30, 2024

Woman critically injured during Winter Haven hit & run crash; driver arrested

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A woman was critically injured early Sunday morning, September 29, 2024, after she was struck by a car on a Winter Haven roadway. The driver of the car fled the scene in his vehicle, but he was located and arrested by detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office later that same day.

The crash occurred at about 2:50 am, at 3547 Recker Highway, in front of DA Place Hookah Lounge.

Just prior to the crash, deputies were heading to the location after several calls were received regarding a large number of people in the roadway in front of the business.

When deputies arrived, the large crowd was uncooperative and provided little information regarding the hit & run.

The deputies found the injured pedestrian; she was identified as 37-year old Cierra Tempestt Wright of Auburndale.

Ms. Wright was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries to include: a fractured skull, brain bleed, fractured jaw, fractured pelvis, and broken arm. She was listed in critical, but stable condition.

PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives attempted to find witnesses, but despite the large crowd, nobody claimed to have seen the crash.

Evidence at the scene revealed that Ms. Wright was struck in the middle of the westbound lane of Recker Highway.

“Through the investigative efforts of our Traffic Homicide detectives, who are the very best at what they do, a blue 2020 Ford Fusion was found in Lake Wales that had damages consistent to those that would occur by striking a pedestrian. The driver was then located, and an arrest was made. We’re praying for a full and speedy recovery for Ms. Wright.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Detectives discovered that the Ford Fusion had a damaged right front headlight and damaged windshield that had hair embedded in it.

41-year old Terry Gardner of Lake Wales admitted to detectives that he was driving the Ford in the area of the crash, but he claimed that he thought the damage on his vehicle was from a brick that was thrown at his car.

Terry Gardner was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail where he was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury (F2).

The investigation is ongoing.