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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 Meghan Petty. 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.
Jul 6, 2018
PCSO Investigating Two-Vehicle Crash in Lakeland With One Fatality
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash south of Lakeland, that occurred Friday morning, July 6, 2018 at about 10:45 a.m., and may have been the result of road rage.
Killed in the crash was 27-year-old Daniel Bagwell of 2030 Boulevard Street, Bartow. The other driver, 22-year-old Brondon Manning of 1754 Mehaffey Circle, Lakeland, suffered only a minor injury.
According to the preliminary investigation, both drivers had aggressive interactions with each other as they were driving south on US Hwy 98 South in Highlands City. The two vehicles made contact at the intersection of US Hwy 98 S and Cypress Avenue, and left the west side of the road. Manning, in a black 2007 Acura, spun and struck a vacant business building at 5705 US Hwy 98 South. Bagwell's silver 2005 Dodge pickup truck struck a vinyl fence in front of the building. A section of the vinyl fence impaled Bagwell's torso, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Nobody was inside the building at the time the crash occurred, and both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
At this time, deputies are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the events that preceded the crash, to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200.
This is an ongoing investigation.
Killed in the crash was 27-year-old Daniel Bagwell of 2030 Boulevard Street, Bartow. The other driver, 22-year-old Brondon Manning of 1754 Mehaffey Circle, Lakeland, suffered only a minor injury.
According to the preliminary investigation, both drivers had aggressive interactions with each other as they were driving south on US Hwy 98 South in Highlands City. The two vehicles made contact at the intersection of US Hwy 98 S and Cypress Avenue, and left the west side of the road. Manning, in a black 2007 Acura, spun and struck a vacant business building at 5705 US Hwy 98 South. Bagwell's silver 2005 Dodge pickup truck struck a vinyl fence in front of the building. A section of the vinyl fence impaled Bagwell's torso, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Nobody was inside the building at the time the crash occurred, and both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
At this time, deputies are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or the events that preceded the crash, to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200.
This is an ongoing investigation.